Green campaigner Kevin Lister threatened with legal action after uploading spoof RIAT website

A GREEN campaigner has been threatened with legal action after creating a spoof website claiming the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has been cancelled.

Organisers of RAF Fairford's annual display of military aircraft reacted angrily to the site uploaded by environmentalist and former Green Party Parliamentary candidate Kevin Lister.

The web page, which mimicked the appearance of RIAT's own site, included a message purportedly from chief executive Tim Prance saying this year's tattoo had been aborted because of its carbon emissions.

RIAT bosses promptly sent a letter to Mr Lister's internet supplier, Tense Internet, threatening to take them to court unless the site was removed.

A spokesman for RIAT said: "In order to protect the interests of the company, its donors and sponsors, its parent charity and, ultimately, the beneficiaries of that charity, notwithstanding the many thousands of people who plan to enjoy the event, we required the website to be taken down. This was duly done."

The tattoo, which will take place this weekend, features more than 300 aircraft from around the world. Around 170,000 people are expected to flood through the gates of RAF Fairford to catch a glimpse of famous planes, including the Vulcan bomber – one of the most iconic planes of the Cold War era.

The event will also showcase World War II Hurricanes, Spitfires and Messerschmitts to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Read more at thisisgloucestershire.co.uk