ORGANISERS of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford are delighted with this year's event.

Attendance figures, totalling about 200,000 people on both days, were slightly down on 2002, but there was no repeat of the traffic that affected last year's event.

New initiatives such as the introduction of park and ride buses at Swindon and an additional route to the ai rshow have meant that traffic flow was relatively smooth.

Highlights of the show included a USAF F-117A stealth fighter flying with the Red Arrows the first time it has been flown in formation with non-US aircraft.

The show also included numerous flying demonstrations including a mock air-to-air refuelling of two German Navy Tornado receivers by an A330 Airbus tanker.

On the ground, the biggest attraction was a display to celebrate 100 Years of Flight, since Wilbur and Orville Wright took the air in 1903.

RIAT director, Paul Bowen, said: "The feedback from the public is that this year's show is one of the best ever, and with the Red Arrows' unique flypast with the F-117 and the majestic 100 Years of Flight presentation it is not difficult to see why."

The show's medical team had to deal with 260 incidents, but only one of these was a serious. A man in his late 50s was airlifted to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

The Air Tattoo's medical team provided first aid before he was transferred to the air ambulance, which touched down on a helipad at the north end of the runway before taking him to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. His condition is said to be stable.

Senior military personnel associated with the air show block booked the De Vere Hotel in Swindon for the duration of the event, under the protection of armed police.

As part of the one of the tightest security operations ever seen in the town, the West Swindon Hotel was surrounded by a double layer mesh fence patrolled by dog handlers. Security officers arrived four days ahead of the party and carried out a sweep of the establishment.

While all the VIPs have left, De Vere general manager Andrew Mosely was still reluctant yesterday to reveal their identities.

He said: "We are not going to release the names of the guests who were staying at the hotel for security reasons."

He praised his 130 staff who pulled out the stops to ensure the VIPs were well looked after. "Our staff worked really hard and our guests have been very complementary about their stay here," he said.

Over the course of the weekend, air traffic controllers directed more than 1,500 aircraft take-offs and landings.

On the ground, organisers said there were 11 lost children reported at the weekend, a figure much lower than in previous years. This was attributed to the introduction of a new wristband scheme, which was worn by children carrying their parents' mobile telephone number.

The first air tattoo was held at North Weald in 1971. It was held at Greenham Common from 1973-1985 until being transferred to RAF Fairford. The show was given Royal status in 1996.