Persistent cloud has forced a team of parachutists to further postpone a display at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Eastern Daily Press: The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team free fall into the Grand Ring. Picture: Ian BurtThe RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team free fall into the Grand Ring. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

The RAF Falcons had been preparing to thrill visitors to the Norfolk Showground, but a blanket of low cloud - hanging at around 1,000 feet - meant no jumps took place on Wednesday.

And despite predictions of better weather and clearer skies on Thursday, continuing cloud cover forced the team to cancel their morning display.

The parachutists' final scheduled jump will take place at 6.15pm on Thursday over the Grand Ring, weather permitting.

Speaking after Wednesday's first display was cancelled, Flight Lieutenant Ash Grey-Smart said: "Unfortunately, as is the case with the weather, it's always changing, we have to pay heed to that."

He said the team of seven parachutists needs to jump from 2,500 feet minimum, an altitude which gives them time to open their parachutes and form the canopy stack.

During a jump the Falcons assemble and get to maximum altitude before going into freefall.

They then line up and form a canopy stack, which requires a lot of skill and precision.

Lt Grey-Smart said the lack of any gap in cloud cover would make such a jump potentially dangerous.

The Falcons are scheduled to jump on day two of the show on Thursday at 11am and 6.15pm and there is more optimism for them to go ahead as the forecast is better.

They are all parachutists undergoing training for three years to become freefall instructors.