A Cumbrian gliding club helped a teenager into the skies just a day after he was allowed to legally fly solo.

Harry Caldwell is now believed to be the youngest person to ever fly alone in the UK.

Edensoaring, based at Skelling Farm, Skirwith, near Penrith, sent Harry up in a glider the day after his 14th birthday.

He would have gone up on his birthday, had it not been for bad weather.

The legal age for solo glider flying in the UK is 14, following recent changes in the law.

Previously the lower limit was 16 but the reduction has brought Britain into line with most of the rest of Europe.

Harry, who lives in Dalbeattie, Dumfires & Galloway, had been on an intensive course of flying training for more than a week before he got his chance to take to the air on his own.

This included a series of supervised flights as well as safety briefings on what to do in the event of problems.

John Castle, his instructor, was very pleased.

He said: “Harry had done some flying with the Dumfries flying club before, but his father had brought him to us with the aim of getting him solo flying.”

Harry had a natural gift for the sport.

“I knew he was ready to fly solo,” added John.

After a long wait, the teenager took to the skies, but his maiden flight had to be a short one - lasting only about 10 minutes - because of the weather conditions. But it was one Harry greatly enjoyed.

“After his landing, Harry’s face clearly reflected his pleasure at achieving this first goal in his gliding career,” said John.

“Congratulations flowed from everyone at the airfield, including his parents who had spent the day waiting patiently for this event.”

John has encouraged more people to think about giving competitive gliding a try. , pointing out it has a varied following.

He added: “You get all kinds of people from all walks of life who take up gliding.”

For more information on the club visit www.edensoaring.co.uk