Aviation-enthusiast Alan Howard, pictured, took the flight of his life when his family and friends organised a retirement surprise to fulfil his last airborne dream.

The flying instructor was born on the day the first Spitfire flew, but in almost 40 years in the skies he had never taken the controls of his favourite wartime plane.

However, all that changed when Flight Lieutenant Howard, who lives in Bingley, was taken to North Wales on the pretence of a public relations exercise for the air cadets at Preston, where he gives up his weekends to coach youngsters.

When he arrived at the airfield in Caernarfon, members of the Volunteer Gliding School revealed their plans to send him out in style with a Spitfire flight.

He took to the cockpit of a rare two-seater plane and together with its owner Anthony Hudson swooped over the Welsh coast in the legendary model for 30 minutes.

Still on cloud nine after sampling the addictive noise of the aeroplane from inside, Mr Howard said he was "gob-smacked".

"I have always wanted to fly a Spitfire from a young age. For people of my generation its their favourite aeroplane. So it was something really exciting for me, especially as I was born on March 5, 1936 when it first flew.

"It has so much character and the engine just bursts into life. The take-off was pretty rapid and once we were in the air it felt like any other plane until you looked out and saw those beautiful rounded wings."

The £1,500 gift flight was kept a closely-guarded secret by his wife Anne and members of the gliding school for 18-months.

Mrs Howard said: "To see the look on his face was magic. It was everything I expected and more and I was thrilled to bits for him, it is so well deserved."

Mr Howard, 65, who has dedicated his career to teaching thousands of youngsters to fly, received an MBE for his voluntary work in 1996.

The retired council worker, of Westleigh, has given up his weekends for 33 years to help cadets get a taste of flying and many of his pupils have gone on to distinguished careers in the RAF and as airline pilots.

He will retire from instructing in March.

Flight Lieutenant Scott Harris, who was taught by Mr Howard to become an instructor, said he was extremely well-respected.

"He is an aviation fanatic and has given up his time spending 33 years as chief flying instructor and he is a great instructor who imparts knowledge without you even knowing it."