CROWDS are expected to flock to Fairford today as the Royal International Air Tattoo enters its second day.

Thousands of people battled the rain to watch scores of jet aircraft from air forces across the world take to the skies above the RAF air base yesterday. There were lengthy queues on the A419 and A417 around Cricklade and Cirencester as people tried to make their way to the festival.

A RIAT spokeswoman said last night: "“We have had an exciting day today.

"Flying highlights included the Spanish Navy Harrier, the RAF Chinook and the Boeing E-3A. On the ground, astronaut Major Tim Peake toured the critically-acclaimed Techno Zone where he visited some of the STEM-related exhibitions and met thousands of schoolchildren who were visiting the airshow.

"It was an honour to welcome him to RAF Fairford and I know that so many people left feeling inspired.

It was a special day for Wiltshire girl Annie Eagles, 10, who got to meet hero Tim Peake. The British astronaut presented Annie, part of the 2nd Malmesbury Brownies group with a Gold Award. Annie, who needed to collect six badges to qualify for the award, said of meeting the space station star: "It was amazing." Mum Emma added: "We had no idea - so this was a real surprise."

Among the highlights today, the RAF’s famous Red Arrows display team will fly alongside a Boeing 747 painted in the famous British Overseas Airways Corporation livery. The flypast is due to go over the showground at around 4.15pm this afternoon.

Tim Peake took to the skies with the red-liveried daredevils this week ahead of their once-in-a-lifetime flight.

During the flight, lasting 20 minutes, the Red Arrows showed off their famous precision flying and Diamond Nine shape.

Major Peake, 47, gave a thumbs-up from the cockpit of the plane after it landed.

“Three years ago I landed on the steps of Kazakhstan and I haven’t had the wow factor since then until today,” he said.

“This was incredible. As a young child I watched the Red Arrows so many times and to have the opportunity to fly with them today was such a privilege.”

Sqn Ldr Pert, 38, added: “He absolutely loved the flight. He was just smiling from ear to ear, so it was a real pleasure for me as well.”

Major Peake’s appearance at this year’s air tattoo, which runs until Sunday, ties in with its space theme.

He was the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station, landing in a Soyuz rocket in December 2015 and returning to Earth six months later.