Herne Bay air show organisers say yesterday's event was one of the best yet - despite facing criticism over gaps between displays.

A number of spectators took to social media to complain about breaks between performances at the free show, which went on throughout the afternoon and into the evening for the first time.

But organiser Gerald McCarthy, from the BayPromoTeam, hailed the event a great success - with an estimated 100,000 people watching the action over three miles between Swalecliffe and Reculver.

"This was up there with one of the best," Mr McCarthy told KentOnline today.

"There has been talk about the gaps between displays, but gaps are a healthy addition to any air show.

"They help with the logistics of the displays and help the day run smoothly.

"We are really pleased and we are still on a high with it all."

The show began with a Wildcat Aerobatics display just before 1pm, and ended hours later with an eye-catching pyrotechnics show at dusk.

Some spectators criticised the stoppages between displays - which featured the stunning Red Arrows at 6.15pm.

Mr McCarthy added: "Last year, we got a bit carried away with trying to fit as many aircraft as we could into a small amount of time.

"It meant we had people missing displays because there was something going on every five minutes.

"It is a very difficult balance, but we would go for gaps again - if we could narrow them slightly to 15 minutes that would be great, but it did work.

"The air show is a free event and we are just a small group of friends from Herne Bay at the BayPromoTeam - it is surreal that we can organise it and do it for the town."

Free evening entertainment included music from Rubber Biscuit and American Four Tops on the clock tower plaza.

For more photos and reaction, see this week's Herne Bay Gazette, out Thursday