The Red Arrows used sustainable fuel for the first time during a flypast over London to mark the King's birthday.

Authorities confirmed that the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team made their first public use of a high-ratio blend of sustainable aviation fuel at the event on June 14.

The flypast combined sustainable aviation fuel with a renewable biofuel known as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which powered the jets and produced the team's signature vapour trails.

The RAF described the move as a step toward reducing its carbon footprint and an example of its ongoing efforts to explore low-emission alternatives.

Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris, the RAF's Director of Support, said: 'The King's Birthday Flypast is the perfect event to showcase to the next generation how our adoption of low-emission alternatives, including sustainable aviation fuel and biofuel, can decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.

'As the Red Arrows have shown, the RAF is adapting to ensure we can continue to fly and fight globally, using any fuel source, as these alternative supplies become more common.'

The display was led by pilots based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, many of whom have experience flying aircraft such as the Tornado, Typhoon, and Harrier.