A newly-qualified Royal Air Force officer is flying high after graduating from a prestigious military college. James Carlton, a former pupil at South Craven School, Crosshills, graduated as an acting pilot officer from an initial officer training course at the officer and aircrew cadet training unit at RAF Cranwell, near Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

The 20-year-old joined 90 other cadets outside the historic College Hall to parade in front of Air Chief Marshal Simon Bryant, Commander-in-Chief, Air Command. James, whose mother, Julie, lives in Keighley, is a former member of 264 (Skipton) Squadron Air Training Corps. He joined the RAF in November, and will soon begin his training as a weapons systems officer.