AIR display teams will paint the sky red on Saturday (July 24) and Monday (July 26) as parachutists and the Red Arrows zoom into town.

It's all part of Blackpool children's festival KidzMegafest, six weeks of good, clean fun sponsored by soap powder firm Daz.

First up - and down - will be the firefighters' parachute display team, Firestorm, due to descend on Central Beach on Saturday at 2.50pm.

Monday sees the return of the spectacular Red Arrows - the RAF's aerobatic aces - due to perform their airborne spectacular over Central Promenade at 3pm.

Meanwhile, at sea-level, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is holding children's fun days at its new lifeboat station on Central Promenade.

A lifeboat-shaped roadshow is here for a week, and children can play games, meet crew members and hear about dramatic sea rescues.

Other KidzMegafest events include two more free treats on Sunday (July 25) - a display of model aircraft on Princess Parade, near North Pier (9am-4pm) and for classic car fans the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club sprint between Cocker Square and Gynn Square along the Lower Walk (10.30am-4.30pm).

Young darts players are welcome every morning from Sunday to Saturday at the Winter Gardens as the professionals pass on their secrets before taking part in the PDC World Matchplay Championships.

For dog lovers, spectators are welcome at the Tower Dog Training Club show at the Wimborne Equestrian Centre, Cropper Road, Marton, on Sunday (10am-4pm).

The Walt Disney Bugs' Life interactive roadshow creeps up on Central Promenade on Tuesday and Wednesday (10am-4pm) and if live bugs are your children's bag, they can go wildlife pond dipping at Marton Mere Nature Reserve, Lawsons Road, on Thursday from 2-4pm (to book, ring (01253) 478428).

Last weekend's KidzMegafest events went down a treat -TV bear Sooty celebrated his 51st birthday with a children's party in Birley Street and more than 200 people turned up for the first Cyril the Squirrel sports day at the Stakis Hotel (every Sunday afternoon until August 8).

Daz spokesman Richard Learwood said:"Daz stands for good clean fun and we see our support of KidzMegafest as a great opportunity to bring an element of fun and happiness to everyone this summer."

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