Poor weather has delayed the Red Arrows flying back to their base at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire after a fatal crash following a Dorset airshow.

Flt Lt Jon Egging, 33, from Rutland, died when his plane came down near Bournemouth airport on Saturday.

All the RAF’s Hawk T1 aircraft were grounded after the crash but restrictions were due to be lifted.

A spokeswoman confirmed the Red Arrows would aim to fly back on Saturday, when better weather is forecast.

The RAF said the Red Arrows would begin training again using eight planes instead of nine on 30 August.

But it could not say when public displays would resume.

Earlier, a spokesman said: “Display flying by the Red Arrows team, in an eight-ship formation, will recommence subject to a successful period of consolidation and approval to display.”

A defence source had said it was “extremely unlikely” the Red Arrows would do any more displays this year.

Before Flt Lt Egging’s death, the display team regularly trained with eight planes in case a pilot was unable to fly.

Flt Lt Egging’s wife, Dr Emma Egging, watched him perform with the Red Arrows minutes before he crashed to his death.

Eyewitnesses described seeing his plane hit the ground in a field by the River Stour near the village of Throop following a display over the seafront.