A FORMER Stourbridge schoolboy will be taking to the skies with the world famous Red Arrows aerobatics team at the Cosford Air Show this weekend.

Flight Lieutenant Chris Lynden-Smith, who attended Stourbridge's Old Swinford Hospital School after moving to the UK from Cape Town at the age of ten, will be flying ‘Red Two’ at the show on Sunday June 12.

To make it into the elite team, pilots must have a minimum of 1,500 flying hours, have completed one frontline tour of duty and be assessed as above average.

Cosford Air Show, held each June at the RAF base at Cosford on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border, is the only RAF flying display in the Midlands and one of only a handful nationwide.

The five-hour flying display is built round the regular appearance of the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane machines.

Other attractions include a fun fair, craft fair, market and aircraft exhibitions where visitors can see pre-war machines and the latest combat aircraft.

Admission to the RAF Museum is included in the gate price and parking is free.

Tickets for the event cost £19 in advance from the 24-hour Cosford Air Show ticket line - 0871 230 1083 - or £25 on the gate (where only cash will be accepted).

Admission is free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult.

For more information check out website www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or call the show information line on 0844 561 1897.