A ROYAL marine officer is flying high after coming top of the class for budding helicopter pilots.

Capt Philip Whitfield, of Kidderminster, was awarded his wings with flying colours as he bagged a trophy for best exam results.

He said: "I feel sheer relief that it is over. It has been a long and difficult course made longer by the foot and mouth outbreak."

Capt Whitfield, 27, has been in training for almost two years.

After passing through the tough selection process, he flew aircraft before moving on to helicopters.

However, the training is not over for Philip, son of Lyn and recently retired Kidderminster Police chief Ron Whitfield.

He will now undertake a course specialising in Lynx helicopters before joining his new squadron.