THE Royal International Air Tattoo 2003 is expected to attract up to 100,000 visitors each day this weekend.

This year, there will be four routes into the show Blue, Red, Green and Brown. The newest Brown route will bring traffic from the M4 past Malmesbury to merge with the Blue Route near Cricklade. All the routes have been clearly signposted.

Traffic is still expected to be heavy but with improvements to the parking procedures at the show, it is expected to be more freely flowing compared to last year. In the event of any major jams there will also be overflow routes in the area.

New for this year is a Park and Ride service from the South Marston Business Park, which can also be used by disabled visitors. All airfield parking will be off the base in fields on the airfield perimeter as part of security measures introduced after September 11.

Drivers are also being asked to tune into Wings Radio on 87.7Mhz for travel information.

Disabled facilities have also been radically improved this year, after complaints about a shortage of toilets for the disabled. This year, there will be a special disabled enclosure and electric wheelchairs will be provided.

Tony Vaughan from Stratton St Margaret was one of the disabled visitors who suffered problems at the 2002 show.

He said: "I am looking forward to this year's show. I know that the organisers have worked hard to make improvements and the Park and Ride should make things a bit easier and electric chairs should be a big help. The only way of knowing is by going to the show and reporting back afterwards."

Security remains tight at the De Vere hotel in Shaw Ridge Leisure Park. The special guests consisting of foreign high-ranking military officers have arrived at the hotel and will leave after the tattoo tomorrow.