Keighley Air Cadets spread their wings on a week-long visit to a Royal Air Force base.

Cadets from 2431 Keighley Squadron Air Training Corps joined forces with other squadrons in the South and West Yorkshire Wing for their annual camp.

The week of events at RAF Digby, a signals establishment in Lincolnshire, was intended to give the nine young cadets from Keighley an insight into life in the air force.

Cadets with a head for heights climbed up a 50ft radar tower to gain some idea of the work done by the RAF Aerial Erectors School, where riggers can climb to heights of 400ft.

The youngsters also had the opportunity to get behind the controls of a fully aerobatic two-seater Grob Tutor plane, racking up six and a half hours flight time in the Tutor.

As a special treat some had the chance to fly in the Jetstream, the RAF's multi-engined crew trainer, racking up almost 10 hours flight time, some at low level.

Shooting with a mixture of .22 and L98, which is a modification of the army's SA80, two Keighley cadets gained their RAF Marksman's badge.

There was also the opportunity to take part in different sports, with seven cadets awarded swimming proficiency certificates.

Flight Lieutenant David Ireland says: "At the end of the week the cadets were tired but enthusiastic, and they had made new friends and had a sample of what life is like in the RAF.

"New experiences, new thrills and lots of memories is what the week at Digby means to the cadets of 2431 squadron."

Anyone aged 13-16 who wants to find out more about the cadets can call into the Drill Hall on Lawkholme Lane on Mondays and Wednesdays between 7-9pm, or phone 01535 606010 on parade nights.

Picture: Keighley cadets line up in front of a Spitfire. From left to right are Warrant officer Michael Weatherall, Cdt Gavin Buxton, Flt Sgt Timothy Kennedy, Cpl William Brown, Cpl Kerry Burnside, Cpl Oliver Thornton, Cdt Matthew Wade, Cdt Matthew King, Cdt Jason Corner, civilian instructor Gordon Weatherall, Cdt Donna Ferguson, Flight Lieutenant David Ireland