AN air show is set to take off into the skies over Thanet next year as one of the top summer attractions in the South East.

The location for the event remains a secret but it is understood that it would be on a coastal area and not based inland at Kent International Airport at Manston.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the seaside for the two-day show, with their numbers swollen by many more local residents.

It is hoped the overall attendance will top 100,000 and generate more than £1m to boost the district’s local economy, with bedspace in hotels and guesthouses expected to be at a premium.

Thanet council cabinet will hold preliminary taIks about the project on Thursday, although much of the detail has yet to be finalised.

It is understood the Red Arrows daredevil aerobatics display specialists will be approached to take part as the centrepiece of the spectacular.

Negotiations are at an early stage but Cllr Roger Latchford, Thanet council cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “These are exciting proposals which, if approved by cabinet on Thursday night, would lead to a major new event for Thanet for 2005 that would attract thousands of people to the area.

“We need to expand the visitor base for Thanet and the plans being put forward would help to achieve this aim."

Council leader Cllr Sandy Ezekiel refused to be drawn on specific details about the air show. He said: “I can confirm it is something that we are considering very carefully and if it goes ahead, it will be an event to rival any air show in the country.

“It would certainly be a fantastic selling point for the area and would attract tens of thousands of people to Thanet. I anticipate it would be earlier in the summer than the main season and this would give us the chance to stretch our summer attractions across a wider range of weekends, rather than concentrating on the main school holidays.

“The council is working with an established promoter to explore this idea. We will stipulate that it will be a very low financial risk to the council and its taxpayers.”

It is understood that any financial implications would arise if the weekend were hit by bad weather.