A spectacular fly-past by two Spitfires has been cancelled following a fatal crash last month.

The display had been billed as one of the highlights of Fawley Armed Forces Day, which is taking place at Gang Warily sports centre on Saturday.

But the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) has been grounded following the death of Squadron Leader Mark Long.

The 43-year-old was killed when the Spitfire he was flying crashed in a field in Lincolnshire on May 25, just minutes after taking off.

One of the vehicles on show at last year's Fawley Armed Forces Day was a Herbie-lookalikeOne of the vehicles on show at last year's Fawley Armed Forces Day was a Herbie-lookalike (Image: Newsquest)

The BBMF planes, which include Spitfires, Hurricanes, and a Lancaster bomber, are a popular sight at summer shows.

But the RAF has decided to temporary ground the aircraft while the cause of the crash is investigated.

In a statement, organisers of Fawley Armed Forces Day said: "We regret to inform everyone that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flypast will not take place."

READ MORE: Spitfire fly-past at Fawley Armed Forces Day

Quoting the RAF it added: "Following the tragic accident at RAF Coningsby, and while the formal investigation is ongoing, the RAF has instigated a temporary pause in flying for the BBMF.”

The statement also said: "Our condolences to the family of Squadron Leader Mark Long, the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight."

Members of the Time-Travelling Steampunks and the Gosport Steampunk Society took part in the 2023 Fawley Armed Forces Day (Image: Newsquest)

Despite the cancellation of the fly-past, the show is set to deliver a full line-up of entertainment for all the family.

A spokesperson said: "We will have live music all day, and various armed forces speakers doing small talks, plus a large collection of military vehicles and a funfair.

"There will be more than 50 stalls run by businesses  and charities along with bars, food stalls, show vehicles and lorries, and a shooting range.

"The Historic Army Aircraft Flight are bringing a helicopter that will land at the event. People will be able to climb inside and have their photograph taken."

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One of the most eye-catching vehicles at last year's event was familiar to fans of the 1968 film The Love Bug and its 1974 sequel, Herbie Rides Again.

The Herbie-lookalike is owned by Jamie and Kelly Lowe, who transformed an ordinary Volkswagen Beetle in time for their wedding at Careys Manor, Brockenhurst, in 2006.

One of the military vehicles on display was a 1943 NAAFI Wagon, a mobile canteen that saw service in London during the war.

The vehicle appeared in Yanks, starring Richard Gere. Set during the build-up to the D-Day landings in 1944, the film had its world premiere in Bournemouth in 1979.