IT'S one of the East Coast's largest crowd-pullers - and now Clacton Airshow is proving big in Japan too.

The event already draws more than 200,000 people from miles around and now it's made headline news in the Far East thanks to one devoted flight fan.

Freelance photographer and journalist Denis J Calvert, from Ely, Cambridgeshire, attended the first day of the award-winning event with his camera in August.

He sent some spectacular photos and a report of the explosive night flights to Japanese aviation magazine Koku-Fan ... and scooped the airshow a two-page spread in the December edition.

“I have been down to the Clacton Airshow a number of times over the years and I am aware it is currently the last survivor along the East Coast, although there are plans for one in Great Yarmouth next summer,” said Mr Calvert.

“It was my first experience of the night flights at Clacton and it was a magic event and something very different.

“A couple of months ago I wrote a monthly column in a UK aviation magazine on the event and I will certainly be coming back next year.

“Koku-Fan roughly translates as ‘aircraft fan’ and it is one of four magazines of its type in Japan but it is the most prestigious.”

Mr Calvert sent a copy of the magazine to airshow organisers at Tendring Council.

Tourism boss Mick Skeels was thrilled with the international publicity.

“Who knows, after this we may well get some Japanese tourists fitting it into their schedule if they visit England at that time of year?”

“Clacton Airshow being showcased in such a high profile magazine with amazing photos that really capture the excitement of the night flights can only help to improve the show’s popularity.”