IT IS TIME to fasten the seatbelts in the Cotswolds as hundreds of thousands are expected to shun the showers for this weekend’s aircraft spectacle at RAF Fairford.

With rain forecasted in the lead-up to the event, the outlook is not rosy for the Royal International Air Tattoo, which was cancelled in 2008 due to heavy downpours.

But organisers of this weekend's airshow said they did not anticipate the weather would cause any problems.

And they are confident that the show will not only go on, but blast all other airshow competitors out of the skies.

Featuring 22 different countries, around 300 aircraft and a number of aviation firsts, RIAT’s organisers claim no better airshow line-up can be found in the world this year.

RIAT spokesman Richard Arquati said there was a real buzz about the Jubilee-themed event.

"In terms of countries taking part, flying debuts, special flypasts and the wide range of exciting aircraft on display, the Air Tattoo is going to be something special," he said.

Over the weekend a series of special displays are planned, including a repeat of the 27-craft flypast of Hawk jets that took part in a special ‘EIIR’ Diamond Jubilee formation over Windsor Castle in May.

Aircraft from neighbouring RAF Brize Norton will also be taking part, with a display representing the RAF’s past, present and future airlift capability.

And they will be joined by some of the world’s greatest fast jets, plus a distinctive US Air Force B-2 ‘Spirit’ stealth bomber.

Tickets for the Air Tattoo are available in advance, priced from £39. Visit airtattoo.com or call 0800 107 1940. All accompanied under-16s go free.

• Crowds of more than 130,000 people are expected at the show, bringing disruption for motorists.

Several roads in the area will be closed or have one-way restrictions in place to ease congestion from today (Thurs) until Monday, July 9. They include Fairford Road and Rhymes Barn Farm Lane, which will be closed for the duration.