IT was supposed to be fun in the sun but Minehead's summer festival and air show fell victim to the weather on Wednesday as the crowd-pulling Red Arrows had to dip out of a planned display.

As the rain fell, low cloud meant that the RAF's world-renowned aerial acrobatic team had to cancel its display.

And the overcast conditions also meant the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was abandoned along with the Red Devils parachute team display, and only a Sea King helicopter was able to take to the skies.

Minehead Visitor Information Centre manager Jill Homewood said the cancellation of the air show had been a huge blow.

"Unfortunately, the weather is the one thing we have absolutely no control over," she said.

"At one point, the Red Arrows were just ten seconds away from being able to do the display but then we watched the weather close in and get worse and worse."

The festival is a joint initiative between holiday giant Butlins and the Minehead Events Group.

And Mrs Homewood said she hoped that Butlins, who arrange the air show, street entertainment, PA system and toilets, would not be deterred from its involvement in future years.

She said the Red Arrows, who would have been making their third appearance at Minehead, were undoubtedly a huge attraction.

The poor weather, which was widely forecast, put off many visitors, with the expected 20,000-plus crowd cut by half.

Mrs Homewood said the events group, which is responsible for the normally income-generating 'park and ride' and 'park and walk' facilities, would make a loss on the 2013 festival.

"It was a huge disappointment for all the people who did turn out," she said.

"But on the positive side, I think the charity stalls did well and there was a fantastic atmosphere amongst the crowds."

Minehead mayor Cllr Val Welch, who attended the event, said she felt particularly sorry for the flag-waving youngsters who had been eagerly anticipating the aerial displays: "It is such a shame - so much hard work went into the event."