IN the midst of Britain's magnificent Jubilee festivities, Suffolk found itself catching a perfect front-row view of the celebratory fly-past.As yesterday's royal events drew to a lively close in the heart of London, people across East Anglia were able to glimpse the spectacular formation of some 27 aircraft.

IN the midst of Britain's magnificent Jubilee festivities, Suffolk found itself catching a perfect front-row view of the celebratory fly-past.

As yesterday's royal events drew to a lively close in the heart of London, people across East Anglia were able to glimpse the spectacular formation of some 27 aircraft.

The dramatic overhead performance saw a series of Red Arrows, together with the acclaimed Concorde, fly over Ipswich and toward the closing activity at the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Thousands of people – some clutching cameras and binoculars – stepped out of their homes and parked up cars to watch the one-off sky-show.

The flypast had gathered in Southwold some time later than originally planned in the Jubilee schedule, and then flew south on its impressive journey to the capital.

Giving a great passing display to families throughout Ipswich, it passed the north west of the town to take in areas such as Castle Hill, Whitton, and Sproughton.

In particular, the Copdock area proved a perfect vantage point.

Scores of cars were seen parked up in that area, filling the laybys of the A12 and A14, with crowds desperate to see the early evening Jubilee aircraft procession come by.

And as the laybys became too crowded, yet more cars pulled over on to the grass verges, and stopped on the flyover close to the Tesco store.

Many of the spectators climbed the banks at the side of the A12 and A14 to get the best view possible.

On leaving Ipswich shortly after 6.15pm, the aircraft then flew over Chelmsford before enthralling a massive crowd of well-wishers gathered beneath the Palace balcony.

Flying at an altitude of 1,500 ft, the aircraft were in eight formations altogether. They included a C17 Globemaster, two Tornados, a Nimrod, and the new Eurofighter, recently developed by the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, which will enter service with the RAF later this year.

To complete the afternoon's event, the Red Arrows released lines of red, white and blue smoke as they passed over London's Jubilee celebrations.

Heathrow Airport was closed for ten minutes as the aircraft passed by.