A show-stopping display of 50 RAF aircraft at today's Royal International Air Tattoo had to be called off at the last minute because of thunderstorms.

The Met Office released a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in the area that lasts until 8pm, but skies were initially clear enough for the display to go ahead.

However, at 2.12pm today, RIAT's organisers took to Twitter to announce the bad news.

Other aircraft were unaffected by the thunderstorms because, as a RIAT spokesperson explained on Twitter, "organising 50 aircraft together from 40 miles away with multiple storm showers on the route" was "far more complex than a single display".

Some social media users were disappointed and even angry at the cancellation, but others were more understanding.

Jason Gough said: "You should be ashamed of yourselves."

Chris Nichols said: "Terrible news, been waiting all day for this."

Mr R Smith said: "Gutted, I took the day off for that."

William Bishop said: "It's a shame but safety comes first. It would be nice to see it tomorrow, but I understand it might not be operationally possible."

Ryan Main said: "Wow, incredible to see people complaining about it being scrubbed.

"If anyone saw how much planning went into the London flypast this week, maybe they’d understand that timings aren’t easily moved.

"Slots are slots and weather is unfortunately the one thing that can’t be controlled."

The event was to be one of several attractions held at this year's air show to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force.

His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, attended the site for a Royal Review of the aircraft, and an RAF Experience area was been expanded to give visitors more insight into the air force than ever before.