A TEENAGER from Bolton School has proved to be a real high flier after been awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Royal Air Force.

Lynsey Allen stunned her school friends and family after learning to fly a plane solo, thanks to the RAF scholarship.

The A-level student first developed a passion for flying at the age of 13 when a friend persuaded her to join the 1099 Worsley Squadron Air Cadets.

Despite the cadets being male dominated, with only three girl members at the time, Lynsey never felt intimidated and became an enthusiastic member of the team.

The 18-year-old applied for the RAF scholarship after becoming keen on a career as a pilot, but never dreamt she would beat the fierce competition.

She had to undergo lots of tests and interviews at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire before being chosen. She then underwent an 18-day intensive training course in Scotland, including 20 hours of flying in a Cessna 152 aircraft.

Lynsey admitted she was nervous before embarking on her first solo flying session, but loved every minute of the experience. She said: "It was really scary because there is so much to remember, but it's a complete adrenaline rush.

"Everyone assumes that flying a plane is like driving a car, but there's so much more to think about. All my family think it's amazing, but my grandma was quite worried about me.

"I'd love to learn how to fly a helicopter because every plane is so different."

Lynsey will be taking a year out after sitting her A-levels in the summer to travel through Australia before reading English Language and Linguistics at university. She hopes to spend some time with the Australian Air Force on her travels and will join a university air squadron when she returns.