THE Scottish Airshow will return to Ayrshire after organisers secured a funding agreement with the local council.

The funding deal reached between the South Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Airshow organisers promises to enhance the two-day festival taking place on the first weekend of September in Ayr and Prestwick Airport.

Scottish Airshow committee chairman Bob Alexander said: "The breakthrough in this agreement with South Ayrshire Council is that we have been guaranteed a level of funding which will allow us to increase the size and quality of the whole event in 2015."

After a 22-year hiatus the Scottish Airshow was held at the Low Green in Ayr, and Prestwick Airport in September last year, with more than 50,000 guests attending the free airshow on Saturday and 10,000 guests at the static display of aircrafts at Prestwick the following day.

Mr Alexander said: "We anticipate an increase of 50 per cent in the number of people coming to Ayr on Saturday, 5 September.

"We have already had very positive discussions with the management of Glasgow Prestwick Airport and they are making plans for an increase of 100 per cent attendance on Sunday, 6 September."

Event organiser Danny Anderson said they would bring the "highest class of ground and airborne entertainment to Ayr".

Mr Alexander added: "There are some very big companies who recognise the potential of the Scottish Airshow and are looking to assist us in our plan to make this the biggest outdoor event in Scotland and one of Britain's best aviation festivals.

"This is a fantastic time to be at the heart of Scottish aviation."