A HIGH-flying former Forest School pupil has shown off her skills as a pilot by winning a prestigious aerobatics competition.

Emily Todd took first place at the British Standard Aerobatic Championships in Cambridgeshire after wowing judges with her daring routine.

The 25 year-old civil servant saw off stiff competition from more than a dozen other talents flyers from across the UK during the event - which was only the second time she has ever competed.

Ms Todd, who caught the flying bug after a visit to a US naval base as a child, could now go on to represent the UK in international aeronautics competitions.

She credited the Mazda flying scholarship scheme with helping her win the title.

She said: "When I was little we visited a naval airbase in America and from then on I knew I wanted to fly planes and study engineering.

"Having won the Mazda BAeF scholarship I was hopeful for a reasonable result, particularly after taking fourth place in my first aerobatic competition earlier in the year.

"The Mazda scholarship has enabled me to progress much faster thanks to the intensity and level of the training it provides.

"I am very grateful to Mazda and the British Aerobatics Foundation for the all the support they have provided.

"I had hoped to do well, but to win the title was incredible. It now means a step up to intermediate level for next year with the goal of a place in the British team in the next few years."

David Cowden, founder of the BAeF, praised Ms Todd for her achievement.

He said: "The aim of the BAeF is to provide the training and opportunity for pilots to eventually represent their country on a World stage.

  "The fact that Emily won her class in the Mazda National Championships demonstrates that the scholarship works and the training we are providing is effective."