WHEN Wayne Costello discovered the Red Devils would be performing at the Sunderland International Airshow, he jumped at the chance to take part.

Red Devil Wayne, who lived in Oxbridge and Hardwick, near Stockton, before joining the Parachute Regiment at the age of 18, is in his second year as a display parachutist with the Army's sky-diving team.

After performing at the Sunderland airshow for the first time last year, he was determined to come back for this year's event on July 29 and 30.

"The Red Devils take part in major events all around the world but, for me, the Sunderland International Airshow is special because it's in the North-East and the crowds are huge," he said.

Wayne, 31, has more than 500 freefall jumps under his belt and last year became the Army's four-way formation sky-diving champion.

At the Sunderland airshow, the team will perform the dazzling free fall manoeuvres - when they can reach speeds of up to 180mph - that have made them famous worldwide, plus a unique new sequence called the Millennium Angel of the North.

As well as fun in the air, including the RAF's Red Arrows display team, there will be plenty to see on the ground, including The Household Cavalry Musical Ride and the Royal Signals White Helmets Motorcycle Team.

For more details call Sunderland Tourist Information Centre on 0191-553 2000/2001/2002.