KEMBLE airfield will become Europe's busiest airfield this weekend with around 2,000 aircraft arriving for the Popular Flying Association's international rally.

Light aircraft will be visiting from all over the UK, Europe and the USA plus over 100 trade exhibitors.

The event has been held at Cranfield airfield near Milton Keynes in previous years but due to building work the Cranfield site is no longer large enough to host the event.

Three special visitors are expected. Carol Ann Garratt set out from the USA in February 2003 and has been flying round the world in a westerly direction in her Mooney, a four seat aircraft.

Carol Ann plans to arrive on Thursday. Other special visitors are Sue and Bill Harrelson who have set out from their home in Florida, USA in their homebuilt aircraft, a Lancair 320 and are travelling to the rally in an easterly direction via Greenland and Iceland.

The event starts on Friday and finishes on Sunday. Gates open at 9am each day.

Tickets cost £15 for a one-day pass or £25 for two or more days. Free admission for accompanied children 16 years and under. For more information visit the website at www. pfa-rally.com