Red 10, otherwise known as Squadron Leader Mike Ling, and members of the Red Arrows support team popped into the Royal Duchy Hotel for afternoon tea before the famous display team took to the skies above Falmouth Bay last week.

Mr Ling supervises and coordinates Red Arrows displays during the summer display season and also provides the commentary. While the rest of his pilot team mates were preparing for take-off, he was able to enjoy a lavish choice of cakes and sandwiches on the hotel terrace with other guests.

“We were delighted to welcome Mike Ling and his colleagues to the hotel,” said Brend Hotels area director John Allen. “The weather was perfect and our residents were thrilled to get such an incredible view. It was a magical evening and one which we’re very proud to have helped fund through the company’s sponsorship.”

The Royal Duchy Hotel, part of the Brend Hotels group, stepped in as one of the sponsors after the original plan to stage the display over Falmouth harbour had to be changed.

“This is a hugely popular event and we’re very pleased to have been able to support it,” said director Peter Brend. “Falmouth is the perfect place to hold such grand spectacles and that’s why we’re also headline sponsors for the town’s first ever official New Year’s Eve firework display.”

Richard Gates, Falmouth town manager, said: “The support of all the sponsors including the Royal Duchy has enabled this great event to go ahead. I know that Mike and the team really appreciated the hospitality that the hotel gave.”