Bournemouth's Liberal Democrat-run council has cancelled the town's beloved Air Festival after 16 years.

The popular four-day event, which features the Red Arrows and draws 600,000 visitors every year, has been canned - with Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council blaming climate change and surging costs.

Council officials have said carbon emissions from aircraft and soaring traffic on display days were behind the move to can the festival.

But their decision has sparked fierce criticism from both inside and outside the council, with critics pointing to how the event generates £60million for the local economy.

PICTURED: The Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers perform at the 2018 Bournemouth Air Festival. The council has axed the event over 'climate change' concerns

Conservative councillor Phil Broadhead argued BCP's "climate change" reasoning was a "step too far".

"Saying we don't like planes, therefore we should ban the air festival for the sake of three or four days that brings millions to the local economy is a step too far," he fumed.

"On that note, we shouldn't be doing anything that generates any carbon whatsoever," Broadhead added. "What we are doing is banning fun."

Meanwhile, Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association chairwoman Rosie Radwell said the cancellation is "a great shame because the air festival was a big boost for Bournemouth".

"I don't think tourism is the top priority for this council," she added, and called the cancellation as "a huge loss to the area".

Cancelling the much-loved event is 'a great shame because the air festival was a big boost for Bournemouth', Rosie Radwell said

When asked about the council's climate concerns, Radwell said: "I don't think it was as bad as they said," adding: "And I don't think it's as bad as they say."

BCP Council had also warned it would be unable to shoulder the £250,000 cost of hosting the festival.

It comes just weeks after the same local authority revealed it would be unable to afford to host a celebration for the 80th anniversary of VE Day in Poole.

A BCP council spokesman said residents were instead being urged to stage street parties to celebrate Victory in Europe.

BCP Council also cancelled a celebration for the 80th anniversary of VE Day in Poole just weeks earlier

Ex-British Army Major Mike Shearer told GB News the move was "shocking" and "absurd", and said the council "should be ashamed of themselves".

"Politics is all about competing priorities," he said. "It's as much about the art of living as it is about the science of furnishing society with the things they need.

"This is not just about the military. This is about celebrating the end of a war, a war in which we secured freedom and democracy for Europe."