Bowness had a feeling of the Cote D'Azur about it last weekend as thousands of people enjoyed soaring temperatures and soaring planes.

The sparkling waters of the lake itself were filled with pleasure craft full of people craning their necks to get a better look at the spectacular air display. On land, punters packed every square inch of grass around the Glebe to sit and lick their ice creams in the sun and watch the RAF perform.

The display, laid on for free by the RAF as a thank you to the people of the area for putting up with its low-flying exercises, was part of the Windermere Festival staged by local Lions and Rotary groups.

Highlights of the display included the dramatic high-speed aerobatics of the Red Arrows, a nostalgic Battle of Britain fly-past from a Lancaster Bomber and a Spitfire and a formation parachute jump by the RAF's Falcons Parachute Display Team.

The event, organised by the Rotary Club of Windermere and the Windermere Lions, and sponsored by many local businesses, raised £14,000 most of which will go towards the new air ambulance to be based at Penrith.

Clive Langley, chairman of the Rotary Club of Windermere, said: "The whole thing went like clockwork the weather and the flying were great."

Mr Langley also said that the feedback he had from the RAF pilots taking part was that they particularly enjoy flying at this event because of the additional challenge of negotiating the mountains instead of the flatter land over which they usually fly their displays.

Ian Stephens, deputy chief executive of Cumbria Tourist Board, was among the crowds on The Glebe on Sunday. He said: "It's pleasing to see such a popular local event so well attended and supported by both residents and visitors.

"With the weather and the entertainment on offer, it's no wonder people choose the Lake District as the place to spend their leisure time. We have had an encouraging start to the year for visitor numbers and expect it to continue throughout August."

RAF spokesman Tony Parrini said: "From our point of view we are pleased to be able to give something back by providing this air event to say thank you to the people of Windermere and the area for putting up with low flying."

Mr Parrini also told the Gazette that the air display has passed muster with safety assessors watching the event and had been given the go ahead for future displays.

"If Windermere wants it and we can get in the calendar as part of the Windermere Festival it should happen again next year," he said.