ONE of Craven's most senior Second World War veterans has paid a flying visit to a Royal Air Force base to see how things are done today.

Ninety-seven-year-old Len Parry, of Skipton, was invited to Royal Air Force Cranwell, in Lincolnshire, the world's first air force college, set up in 1918.

He was shown around the college and met members of 57 Squadron, trainee pilots from the UK and Saudi Arabia, most of whom will shortly be flying the new Typhoon fighter aircraft.

He also met Air Commodore Peter Squires, the current commanding officer of Cranwell.

Mr Parry, who is a life member of the Skipton branch of the Royal Air Force Association, based in Shortbank Road, volunteered in 1940.

He initially served as a ground crew engineer, before again volunteering for air crew. He was posted to the Far East with 205 Squadron, flying in the Catalina and Short Singapore aircraft which could take off and land on water. During the war he flew from Ceylon - now Sri Lanka - and Singapore on anti-submarine and mine-laying missions against Japanese forces. Mr Parry was also part of many operations to rescue air crew downed at sea and sailors from sunken ships.