THE call is out for former members of Worcester Air Training Corps to get in touch as the organisation celebrates its 65th anniversary nationally.

Worcester Air Training Corps has been running since the organisation's inception in 1941 and will be taking part in the birthday celebrations next month.

The corps, which meets every Monday and Friday at its Droitwich Road base, is holding a series of activities on Sunday, February 5, to mark the event.

Organisers are currently researching old records for material for an exhibition on the day but are also keen to hear from ex-members who have photographs or memorabilia.

They also want former members to come along and share stories of their time with the cadets.

Publicity officer Andy Chinn said they were also keen to hear from people who had photographs of the aircraft that once stood outside their base to get in touch.

One - a Spitfire - was outside during the 1950s and 1960s until it was moved to feature in the film The Battle Of Britain and is now on display outside an RAF base in Scotland.

Mr Chinn added: "The Perdiswell area was an RAF base during the Second World War so there's quite a bit of history around here.

"We've got some artefacts ourselves, but what we really want is the human interest stories - the individuals who would come along as young boys and find out what they're doing now."

The city squadron has about 80 members aged between 13 and 18 - with about eight girl members - and runs events such as gliding, first-aid training and rock climbing.

Youngsters also get to fly in military aircraft across the country.

Next month's events will include a dinner at the Raven Inn, a church service at St Stephen's in Droitwich Road and a major historic display.

City mayor Aubrey Tarbuck, who also served with the Worcester air cadets for about two years before being called up for the RAF, has also been invited to attend.

Coun Tarbuck said he could vividly recall going on camp and also being a bugler with the cadet's band.

He added: "I enjoyed it very much and have very fond memories, particularly the camp at Shobdon in Herefordshire where we were flying with the Canadian airborne division."

Anyone with memorabilia, photographs or stories on the cadets can contact Adrian Everett on 01905 451877 or e-mail: adrian_everett@btinternet.com