VE Day flypast route: When and where to watch Red Arrows today

On the first of four days of national celebrations to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe, the skies over central London will be left red, white and blue as the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows soar over the capital, which you can watch live on Sky News.

It will take place after a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace involving more than 1,300 members of the UK Armed Forces, uniformed services, and young people.

Military aircraft, including the Voyager transport aircraft, a P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, Typhoon, and F-35 fighter jets, will also be involved in the flypast, as well as historic Second World War-era aircraft.

The flypast will reach The Mall and Buckingham Palace at around 1.45pm on Bank Holiday Monday, but you do not have to be in London to catch a glimpse.

The planes are due to go over parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

The flypast route has been split into zones, the following are the time slots when airspace is restricted and when the planes can potentially be seen overhead:

Area A: North Sea, Suffolk and Norfolk, between 11.45am - 2.45pm

Area B: East Suffolk (Saxmundham) and Suffolk (East Bergholt), between 1.15pm - 2.10pm

Area C: Suffolk (East Bergholt) and Essex (Colchester), between 1.20pm - 2.10pm

Area D: Essex (Colchester and Witham), between 1.20pm - 2.10pm

Area E: Essex (Witham) and London City, between 1.25pm - 2.10pm

Area F: London City and London Heathrow, between 1.25pm - 2.10pm

Area G: Buckinghamshire (Denham) and Buckinghamshire (Halton), between 1.45pm - 2.25pm

Area H: Buckinghamshire (Halton) and Oxfordshire (Brize), between 1.45pm - 2.25pm

Area I: North west London, between 1.45pm - 2.25pm

Rehearsing for the flypast on 29 April, the RAF said aircraft including Typhoons, A400M Atlas, C-17 Globemaster and Rivet Joint practiced formations.

They flew over RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, with the site's College Hall standing in for Buckingham Palace.

Flypast mission commander Andrew Watson said he expects the actual flypast to be a "good spectacle for the nation and Commonwealth".

Mark Jackson, the flypast senior responsible officer, said: "I was reviewing the flypast from a safety and execution perspective, ensuring the timings, spacings, and overall structure were on track for the special VE Day 80 celebrations.

"It's a great honour to be part of the events to remember those who served our nation 80 years ago."

-SKY NEWS