The inaugural Great Yarmouth Air Show has been postponed due to the costs of counter-terrorism measures and medical cover for the event.

The shock announcement was made following a meeting of the board of the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area this morning.

The air show was due to take place between Thursday, June 15 and Sunday, June 18.

A statement from the organisation said: 'The Board of the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area (GYTABIA) has decided to postpone the Great Yarmouth Air Show due to take place in June 2017.'

In a joint statement, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk Constabulary reacted to the news by saying: 'While it is disappointing that the air show will not happen this year, we respect the decision of the board, the event organiser, to reschedule. We recognise the huge importance of the air show to the borough's economy and profile, and remain committed to working closely with other key partners to support the GYTABIA in ensuring this large-scale event runs well in the future.

'In the meantime, the borough looks forward to another varied and exciting calendar of events in 2017, including the Maritime Festival, Festival, GY Wheels Festival, Pumpkinanza and seafront fireworks.'

GYTABIA Chairman, Gareth Brown, said: 'It is extremely disappointing that the air show cannot happen this year.

'This decision has been made due to significantly higher than anticipated additional costs of more than £130,000 associated with counter-terrorism measures and medical cover for the air show.

'As with any event of this scale and ambition, it is vital to take as much time as necessary to put the required measures in place to ensure the event will be safe, that it is a success and that the benefits for everyone are realised.'

Mr Brown added: 'Much has already been achieved; the GYTABIA Air Show Management Group has already invested many hundreds of hours into planning the event.

'None of this effort has been lost and we have developed strong relationships with local agencies and emergency services.

'We will now review our budgets so the Board can reassess the air show plans in light of these additional costs.'

The statement added 'The Great Yarmouth air show has huge projected benefits for the borough, estimated to bring a £10m boost to the local economy, in addition to further raising the profile and reputation of the borough and coastal resort.

'Visitors to Great Yarmouth in 2017 still have a superb calendar of festivals and events to look forward to in 2017, including the annual Maritime Festival, Wheels Festival, Out There Festival of International Circus and Street Arts plus firework displays in Hemsby, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston-on-Sea.'