Britain's Red Arrows produced a heart-stopping aerobatic display to round off the first day of the Malta Airshow this afternoon.

The famous RAF team lit up the dull sky over St Paul's Bay with the elaborate manoeuvres that have made them famous throughout the world.

The Royal Air Force, celebrating its 90th anniversary, dominated the show, which included the debut in Malta of a Typhoon fighter, which opened the show.

The aircraft, which has just joined RAF fighter squadrons, demonstrated incredible manoeuvrability, turning "on a sixpence" below the grey clouds before roaring up into them, afterburners glowing.

Another well-known favourite in the afternoon was a Canadair CL-415 water bomber which skimmed the water several times, rapidly filling its huge tanks and then water bombing the bay.

The AFM and the Malta-based Italian Military Mission demonstrated a rescue mission using an Islander aircraft and an AB 212 helicopter.

Other participants in the show included the amphibian which operates the air service between Malta and Gozo, RAF Hawk and Tucano trainers and an RAF Kingair 200.

A static display at Luqa included RAF Harrier jump jets, a USAF KC135 and a Swedish C130 transport aircraft.

The Red Arrows kick off another flying display over St Paul's Bay tomorrow at 2 p.m.

The airshow is organised by the Malta Aviation Society.