THE 60th anniversary of the ending of World War Two will be officially marked at the world's biggest military air show at RAF Fairford over the weekend of July 16-17.

But exactly how it will be celebrated during the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has not been finalised.

Spokesman Richard Arquati said the main thrust would not be to highlight the differences between countries but to focus on an international drive towards global friendship.

"A series of unique aerial demonstrations and ground-based entertainment will remind visitors just how far these new bonds have developed since 1945," he said.

RIAT Director Tim Prince said: "While recognising the 60th anniversary, the RIAT will focus on how this provided the catalyst for a new era of international co-operation. This began with the formation of the United Nations in October 1945.

"It is this same sense of international co-operation and camaraderie at the Tattoo that has seen special relations built up over the years that remain just as strong today."

The actual date of the RIAT falls between the two dates that signalled the end of hostilities. May 7 1945 was declared VE Day (Victory in Europe) after Germany surrendered but it was not until August 6 of that same year that America dropped its first atom bomb over the city of Hiroshima and victory was achieved over Japan (VJ Day).

The operational theme of this year's RIAT will be "Surveillance 05 Eyes in the Sky".

Military aircraft from air forces around the world will be flying in.

Among those expected to attend will be Nimrods, U-2s, Canberras, Hercules, Sea King Helicopters and E-3 AWACS.