Malmesbury's famous flying monk Eilmer was the subject of a series of lectures last week which support the historical account of man’s first flight.

The four talks that made up the Flights of Fancy lecture series examined four different aspects of the monk’s attempt to launch himself from the Abbey roof 1,000 years ago.

Chairman of the Friends of Athelstan Museum, Roger Griffen, helped arrange the symposium.

He said: “It was a fascinating day and we have received a lot of positive feedback from both visitors and the lecturers.

“Local author and historian Tony McAleavy introduced us to Eilmer, his times and life in Saxon England.

“He was followed by Tim Porter who told us about chronicler William of Malmesbury who must have spoken to people who witnessed Eilmer’s flight.

“After lunch Paul Chapman, an aeronautical engineer, said the 200 metre flight was feasible and that Eilmer could have been airborne for nearly a minute.”

The day was concluded by David Keen from the Royal Airforce Museum who talked about other early attempts at flight.

Mr Griffin said: “It was a very varied and interesting set of lectures and I was pleased with the turn out.”