Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative MP for Gainsborough, has welcomed news that the Waddington International Air Show may move to RAF Scampton in his constituency.

“I’d be delighted for the air show to move to RAF Scampton,” the MP of over three decades’ service in the Commons said. “Lincolnshire is great flying country and has a proud RAF history which are the perfect ingredients for an international air show.”

Sir Edward has been one of the most prominent defenders of the Scampton-based Red Arrows and is believed to have been instrumental in securing from ministers the continued existence of RAF’s aerobatics display team in the face of defence cutbacks.

“Scampton should be a perfect alternative to Waddington and I hope the RAF and locals will work together to make it happen,” the MP continued. “It’s a great opportunity for the area and for the county.”