by Alan Watkins

The red, white and blue colours that have become the Red Arrows' trademark brought an extraordinary day to a conclusion.

The flypast was the climax of two hours of action and spectacle on the River Medway, as part of Armed Forces Day, that showed the armed services expertise.

The veterans looked skywards at the beginning of the show when an Avro Lancaster, flanked by a Spitfire and a Hurricane, opened the show with three flypasts.

Later HMs Cattestock upheld the royal Navy tradition of seeing off all boarders when a force of Royal Marines, masquerading as terrorists, attacked the ship.

It was an opportunity for the RAF and Naval helicopters to share in the action.

• For more on the Armed Forces Day see our special report