The Red Arrows wowed onlookers with a spectacular performance at a coastal air show after jetting across the Suffolk and north Essex skies on Thursday afternoon.

The RAF aerobatics display team took off from Norwich Airport shortly after 3pm before embarking on a route across the region.

Sudbury Mercury: The Red Arrows captured in full flight from Clacton seafrontThe Red Arrows captured in full flight from Clacton seafront (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

After flying towards Framlingham, the nine red jets were visible in the skies above Ipswich before crossing the border into Essex.

Sudbury Mercury: The performance was part of Clacton Airshow's 150th anniversary celebrationsThe performance was part of Clacton Airshow's 150th anniversary celebrations (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

They then arrived in Clacton, where they marked the coastal town's 150th anniversary air show with a special half-hour acrobatic performance, leaving their classic trails of red, white and blue smoke.

Sudbury Mercury: The Red Arrows flew over Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to reach ClactonThe Red Arrows flew over Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to reach Clacton (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

No in-person events were organised for Clacton Airshow, but crowds gathered along the seafront to catch a glimpse of the famous team.

Sudbury Mercury: Crowds on Clacton beach ahead of the displayCrowds on Clacton beach ahead of the display (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

After the show, the Red Arrows jetted back into Suffolk shortly before 5pm as they flew over Felixstowe, Tunstall and Saxmundham before completing their journey back to their temporary Norwich base.

Sudbury Mercury: Hundreds of people descended on the seafrontHundreds of people descended on the seafront (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

Sudbury Mercury: People took cameras to capture the Red ArrowsPeople took cameras to capture the Red Arrows (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

Thursday was the third time the jets had flown over Suffolk in August after several flights at the start of the month.

Sudbury Mercury: The Red Arrows drew a large crowd to the Essex seaside townThe Red Arrows drew a large crowd to the Essex seaside town (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

Sudbury Mercury: The beachfront was packed of people eager to see the jetsThe beachfront was packed of people eager to see the jets (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)