A NEWLY-qualified Royal Air Force officer from Okehampton is flying high after recently graduating from a prestigious military college.

Mandy Singleton, 39, graduated with Merit as a Flying Officer from No 17 Initial Officer Training (IOT) course at the Officer and Aircrew Cadet Training Unit at RAF Cranwell, near Sleaford in Lincolnshire.

Mandy joined 93 other cadets outside the historic College Hall to parade in front of Air Vice-Marshal J Lamonte, chief of strategy, policy and plans. Music on the day was provided by the Band of the RAF Regiment and there were flypasts by a Tornado aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth.

Mandy, whose parents Michael and Heather still live at Okehampton, attended Okehampton Community College before joining the RAF in 1989 as an avionics technician. After attaining the rank of Sergeant and gaining a BEng (Hons) in electronics systems design from Staffordshire University she decided to become an officer. Now that she has graduated she will continue with her professional training with the engineering branch.

A keen sportswoman, she enjoys mountaineering, skiing and snowboarding.