The Red Arrows are set to be based in Southend later this year for three airshows, it is understood.

Southend Airport played host to the Red Arrows last summer, as well as other famous RAF jets, when it was used as base for the planes featuring in the Eastbourne Airbourne Show.

Residents dubbed the activity a "mini airshow" as the sight and sound of the RAF aircraft roaring over the city led to calls for Southend's airshow - which ended in 2012 - to return.

Now the famous Red Arrows display team are expected to return to the airport again in August, the Echo understands.

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This is as the RAF aircraft will be taking part in the Eastbourne Airshow from August 17 to 20, Folkestone Airshow, which is also on August 20, and the Clacton Airshow on August 24 and 25.

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with their Lancaster and Spitfires are also expected to be based at Southend for the same airshows, along with other RAF aircraft including a Typhoon.

A spokesman for Southend Airport did not confirm whether the Red Arrows will be returning, however hinted at an exciting announcement coming on Friday on their Facebook page.

A Facebook story was shared with an image of what looked to be the tails of Red Arrows planes and a countdown to Friday.

The Southend Air Show ran for 27 years until it was revealed it was ending in January 2013, with the final show the year prior.

Day-trippers and south Essex residents would descend on the seafront for the action-packed event which often featured the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Crunchie wing-walkers.

An effort to revive the event in 2015 was unsuccessful, despite £250,000 being raised and a petition calling for its return gaining 2,000 signatures.

Another campaign to bring the show back was launched in September, but organisers soon hit roadblocks and plans appeared to be dead in the water by November.