The flypast began at 10.15am, when the world’s only pair of Lancaster bombers swept over Windermere heading north to be followed by the Red Arrows at 11.30am in diamond formation.

Then at precisely 2.47pm, as promised, the Lancasters returned south.

I thought that was the end of the display but that was not so. At 6.15pm the big surprise of the day was the only operational Vulcan bomber heading majestically south down the lake.

The finale was left to the Red Arrows at 7.10pm as they headed home and then the sun set over Wetherlam at 7.20pm to end a truly bella domenica.

If you missed any or all of this display, never forget that the best things in life are free. It was one of those rare days when I felt very proud to be British.

Tom Pratt

Windermere