THOUSANDS of people are expected to flock to the spectacular Yorkshire Air Show this weekend.

Advance ticket sales have already hit record levels for the show, and people are being advised to arrive early to avoid traffic.

The two-day show at Elvington airfield, near York, has activities in the air and on the ground, and the gates will open at 8.30am on Saturday and Sunday.

Non-flying exhibits include the Starchaser, one of the first privately funded space rockets in the world, vintage and military vehicles and stands selling souvenirs, clothing, memorabilia and refreshments.

Event director Ken Cothliff said he was not surprised with the enormous interest created by this year's show.

"The line-up this year is more impressive than ever, with the headline item being the RAF's new Eurofighter Typhoon, appearing at one of its first airfield displays outside an RAF station.

"The second item of military hardware new to the show is the mighty Boeing Chinook twin rotor helicopter - a truly awesome aircraft to display.

"On the historic side, two other new aircraft that have not displayed with us before are the Royal Navy Historic Flight's recently restored Sea Fury -one of the fastest piston-engine aircraft ever built, and the beautiful Sea Hawk jet attack aircraft.

"And, naturally, the ever-popular Red Arrows will be with us on both days again."

The theme for this year's show is military might, and the line-up also includes the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with its Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

The daredevil Utterly Butterly Wingwalkers will also perform.

The four-hour aerial show spectacular starts at 1pm on both days, and tickets for the event include free entry to the neighbouring Yorkshire Air Museum, which opens at 9.30am and where exhibits include a Second World War Halifax bomber.

The event will be signposted from the A64 and all other major routes into York.

Tickets at the gate are £15 for adults, £7 for children under 16, free for children under five and £12 for pensioners.

Further details about the event can be found at www. elvington.org