SPIRITS are sky high following the crowd-pleasing two-day air show and land-based seaside spectacle that attracted more than 65,000 visitors to Margate’s Big Event.

The jubilant team behind the free family weekend at the clifftop Palm Bay arena in Cliftonville are already planning Big Event 2 for summer 2008.

Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, leader of Thanet council, said: "It was a fantastic weekend and it proved that Thanet can stage well-managed massive events that offer something for the whole family.

"The positive feedback already has been amazing and we are so pleased that we have given people what they want.

"We are already looking towards next year and I am confident that the Big Event2 will be one of the highlights of our entertainment programme."

The main sponsor for the event were developers Carillion Richardson, who were involved in the Westwood Cross retail centre project and who supported the weekend to around £60,000, while other financial backing came from businesses and organisations.

Highlights included spectacular aerial performances by the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAF Falcons parachute team, the Aerostars and solo aerobatics pilot Will Curtis, plus street entertainers, arena displays, and music from a range of top line bands.

Cllr Ezekiel added: "All our supporters were delighted with the way everything ran smoothly and it showed that business and the community can work well together.

"Big thanks go to everyone involved in the many months of planning and to everyone who performed on land and in the air. The entertainment was truly amazing."

He also thanked the Kent Messenger Group for helping to promote the Big Event throughout the county in its role as media partner.