For the first time in four years, the world famous Red Arrows will not be performing at Falmouth Week this summer.

In the past, they have drawn crowds numbering in the tens of thousands - but what affect, if any, will their absence have on the turnout for Falmouth’s annual festival of sailing and music?

We sent Packet reporter Greg Fountain out onto the streets of town to see what both the residents and the tourists thought about the aerial display team taking a year off.

Most people asked were confident of a good summer for Falmouth despite the Red Arrows absence and thought that tourists visiting the town would do so with or without the added draw of death-defying high-flying aerobatic stunts.

Juergen Schesser, aged 56, is originally from Germany but he and his family now live in Bristol.

He believes people intending to visit Falmouth anyway do not need any added attractions to convince them to make the trip.

“People can go to air shows to see the Red Arrows and that’s the place that they belong,” he said.

“I don’t see any effect; I think they have nothing to do with the number of tourists in Falmouth.”

Milly Mills, aged 82, who lives in the area, agreed with Juergen adding: “It would have been an addition had they been there, but I don’t think it will be a detraction that they are not.

“People do love to see them though and more locals would turn out, I think, if they were here.”

Joyce Preston, aged 79, who was visiting from Slough, was not so sure what the effect might be but was adamant that it wouldn’t change her love for the county.

She said: “I don’t think I have ever seen the Red Arrows and I come to Cornwall every year.

“I think it would interest the men more than the ladies and a lot of people do like displays but whether it would stop people coming – they don’t just come for the Red Arrows, do they?

“I come because I have a friend here and I love to come down and see her. Cornwall is a beautiful place, you don’t need the Red Arrows,” she added.

Anne Commin, aged 52, is from East Sussex and has been visiting Cornwall with her husband Neil ever since their son joined the university half a decade ago.

Her father was in the RAF, so she feels a deep connection with the air force, but she doesn’t think the Arrows absence will affect her summer visits.

She said: “We love the Red Arrows, but it won’t affect us – I would always love to see them but we come down because we are in love with Cornwall.

“It would be a plus, but it’s not the be all and end all for us.”

John Andrews, aged 45, was visiting Falmouth for the first time with his wife Kirsty, aged 39 and their three sons.

Originally hailing from Derby, the family have travelled all the way to Dorset in the past to see the Red Arrows in action, so they thought that there might be a decline in people coming specifically for the event.

John said: “If we knew it was on and we were on holiday in this area, but not specifically in Falmouth, then we would come into town to see it.

“But I don’t think people will come specifically for it.”

Lynda Schoning, aged 54, from Falmouth, described the news as disappointing, but agreed with the consensus view that the number of tourists would probably not decline.

She said: “I don’t think it will have an effect – if they are going to come to Falmouth then they will come to Falmouth.