TO HOLD the airshow again would be like “sticking two fingers up to the victims and their families”.

That was the message from councillor Debbie Kennard, West Sussex County Council member for Shoreham.

The tragedy was close to home for her as her daughter was friends with Littlehampton personal trainer Matt Jones, who was among those killed.

She said: “I really don’t know about the future of the airshow, this is really not what we want Shoreham to be known for.

“I think if it was held again it would be sticking two fingers up to the victims and their families.

“I think we need to do something in a different way.

“We have to celebrate the war and I am the first there when it comes to laying down the wreath.

“But I think speaking as a mother, what if it had been my child? I just cannot see the point of it.

“Families have lost the chance to have grandchildren, the chance to see their children walk down the aisle.”

James Butcher, chairman of Lancing Parish Council, said the authority would hold a minute’s silence at the beginning of the next full council meeting in September.

He added: “The public will inevitably, and rightly, want to know what went wrong. Why the plane was over the A27 and why the plane was not performing the manoeuvre at a higher altitude.

“In time those answers will be forthcoming and will help to determine whether better precautions can be put in place to allow the airshow to return.”

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “At this incredibly difficult time, my thoughts are with the family and friends of those who died and were injured in this terrible tragedy.

“I’d like to add my heartfelt thanks to the emergency services, who have done an extraordinary job.

“In the coming weeks and months it’s crucial that we learn any lessons from what happened in Shoreham and consider all available options for ensuring safety at these airshows.”

Adur Ukip councillor Ken Bishop, of Southlands ward in Shoreham, said: “I have spoken to the lead on major incident planning at Adur council and he said that everything will have to be looked at.

“Obviously everybody will look at this now, not just the council, the owners of the airport, RAFA the organisers and the aviation authorities, looking at safety procedures and whether aerobatics should be done over the sea.

“Always when something like this happens, people will want to point the finger but we can’t possibly allow something like this to happen again and we need to explore what can we do to prevent it.

“I think we will have to keep it away from the A27 and have aerobatics over the sea, but we will have to wait for the outcome of all the investigations and enquiries.”

Coun Bishop said it would be a terrible loss for Shoreham if the tragic incident led to the end of an event that had brought so much joy.

He added: “The airshow is a huge part of Shoreham. I know there has been an accident in the past where the poor pilot lost his life but it has given so much enjoyment over the years.

“It would be a terrible shame if we lost Shoreham Airshow but it might have to be a different event in future.”