A MILITARY landing took tourists by surprise on Blackpool Promenade at the weekend.

But the 'enemy' hadn't landed, the operation was just part of the town's annual Sky Show, featuring flying machines of all shapes and sizes.

The RAF's combat search and rescue team including a Puma helicopter made made the beach assault at the North Pier.

The beach assault rounded off the afternoon, with the RAF regiment display team wowing a rapt audience with their skills.

The helicopter was joined in a four-hour marathon on Sunday, August 11, by aircraft including a Warton-built 1,500mph Tornado F3 swing-wing fighter and a ground attack Jaguar.

Also on hand for fans of aviation were replicas of a Hawk and Hercules transport plane and a Lightning cockpit.