The Red Arrows defied the gloomy weather to light up the sky with a dazzling display at Margate's Big Event.

The daredevil aerobatic team cut through the stormclouds and trailed red, white and blue smoke above tens of thousands of spectators at Palm Bay.

Hundreds more gathered at cliff top vantage points along the coast on Saturday and Sunday to watch a packed flying programme, which included a choreographed tribute to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Spectacular stunts came from the Breitling Wingwalkers and The Tigers parachute display team, who kept eyes glued to the skies throughout the exhilarating air show.

Wingwalker Danielle Hughes, performing at the Big Event for the second time, said: "The crowd is always brilliant here. It's an interesting show because the venue is perched on a cliff top, which gives the crowds a great view of our display. It's also great fun to perform over the water."

Thrilling funfair rides and colourful costumed characters, including gorillas, grasshoppers and giant stilt walkers, kept families entertained on the ground, while a series of performances from top acts had music fans on their feet.

A concert from the Magic of the Beatles tribute band and a stunning fireworks display on Saturday evening completed a memorable weekend.

Official estimates put the turnout for this year's event at around 30,000 - down on 2009 but due largely to the poor weather that hampered the weekend for the first time in its five year history.

The Red Arrows - performing for the first time in the UK since a training accident over Crete earlier this year - had to perform their 'flat' display on the opening day, but wowed the crowds with their 'rolling' routine 24 hours later.

Cllr Roger Latchford, cabinet member for regeneration at Thanet council, said preparations for the 2011 event were already under way and praised the work of council officers, especially Gill Shepherd and Wendy Morris, in staging the annual extravaganza.