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Pensioner's anger at Airbourne 'extra'
THE ranks of residents and visitors angered by this year's ill-fated Airbourne include a pensioner who says he was was threatened with removal by security guards when he refused to pay a £1.50 charge to sit on the seafront — after paying £5 admission for the show.
Adrian Smith, who came from Middlesex with his wife, said his day was ruined after he and eight other OAPs made a stand against the charge for sitting near the bandstand.
He had entered the air show reluctantly after arriving at the event without realising the ticket cost. He was assured by the gate attendant that there would be no further costs once he got inside.
He said, "My wife and I sat down to have a coffee as we always take a flask and then find somewhere to eat. Then up comes a young lady who says 'that will be 1.50 each'.
"We had just walked in, I could still see the entrance. It was 1.50 to sit in these ordinary event seats and I said 'I'm not paying'. This group of people on the right shouted 'do not pay'."
Mr Smith said there were no signs telling people of the charge although these were quickly put up when the group of holidaymakers refused to pay.
The pensioners were told they would be removed by security stewards but left voluntarily, at which point they were given their 5 admission fees back by organisers.
Mr Smith said he was told by organisers they did not have to provide seats for the air show which he felt put elderly visitors' health and safety at risk.
He added, "I would probably never have come if I had known all of this was going to happen."
victoria.allen@trbeckett.co.uk
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
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