A FORMER pupil of Wootton Bassett School has been awarded his Royal Air Force wings.

Flight Lieut Matthew Butwell, 24, has just completed 11 months training as a pilot at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire.

During his training he learned the skills of advanced helicopter handling, flying with under-slung loads, working in confined area, night-vision goggle operations, navigation, mission management, and search and rescue duties.

Matthew, whose family still live in Wootton Bassett, joined the RAF in 2003 and is now posted to No 18 Squadron at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, where he will start operational training on the RAF's Chinook helicopter in the army-support role in August.