TALENTED air cadets in Horwich have really taken off after winning a batch of trophies and prizes. Members of the Air Training Corps 1471 Squadron came top among 22 other squadrons in the East Lancashire Wing to win the Wing Championship. The tough competition included athletics, five-a-side football and military drill.

And the 55 young people aged 13 to 23 nearly pulled off the title of top aircadets in the north region.

They came second and were only pipped at the post after they failed to complete a march past of their Horwich headquarters - because it is too small.

The squadron has won Royal Airforce Flying Scholarships allowing two cadets to have flying lessons and Sgt Sarah Holdcroft, aged 18, won the best sports cadet in the region.

During a gruelling 100-mile four-day march in Holland, the squadron was the only cadet group to win the team medal.

Cadet Warrant Officer Alex Davis, aged 19, was the fifth consecutive cadet from Horwich to win a foreign exchange visit - even though there is only one place per wing each year.

He went for 21 days to stay with the USA cadet airforce.

Members have also reached a high standard in other areas including shooting and gliding.

Flight Sgt Craig Cook said: "We are absolutely delighted with what we have achieved.

"We've now got a reputation we've got to try to keep up."

The Air Training Corps is for anyone with an interest in the airforce and not just for those wanting to join the RAF.

The aircadets will be at Bolton Airshow, British Aerospace, Lostock, on Saturday.

For more information, call Ft Sgt Cook on 01942 815536.

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