A ST ALBANS teenager is flying high after winning a national microlighting competition that took him to 78 airfields around Britain in just four days.

Mr Robert Grimwood, 19, of Oysterfields, completed the staggering journey on his way to winning the Around Britain Flying Festival in the flex-wing class, and scooped second place overall.

The talented youngster and his partner, Mr Keith Ingham from Manchester, flew more than 2,200 miles on their joint flight across Britain, which took them from Loch Ness to the Isle of Wight.

The pair had to visit as many airfields as possible in the four days, and shared the flying and navigational duties to out-manoeuvre more than 100 competitors and collect the top prize.

But what is even more remarkable is that Mr Grimwood, who also recorded the best time in the event, is virtually blind in one eye.

He said: 'When I was three and playing cowboys and Indians, someone fired a stick into my eye and I lost all sight in it. But it has never affected me at all.'

Mr Grimwood, who began flying when he was just 11 years old, has now flown more than 550 hours, and will this year upgrade to a qualified flying instructor.

His taste for the high life was rewarded when aged just 16, he won a bursary from a member of the microlight association who left a provision in his will to train a young pilot.

Since then, in the words of his mother Sandy, 'he has never looked back', making his first solo flight on his 17th birthday.

Last year Mr Grimwood also competed with the British team in the World Championships, and returned home with a bronze medal.

He now plans to go to Brunel University in September to study mechanical engineering with aeronautics, but needs a sponsor to help him carry on competing.

He said: 'As I will be at university, I won't have any income to help meet the cost of the plane, petrol and landing fees that come with running an aircraft. So if anyone could help, it would be great.'

Anyone wanting to sponsor Mr Grimwood can call him on 07941 255473.

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