JACK Kessock-Philip is among the top 10 radio controlled helicopter pilots in the intermediate class of the UK following an impressive debut at the 3D Championship in Tewkesbury.

In his first competition, the Wey Valley student achieved fourth, 11th and eighth placed finishes to claim ninth overall in the intermediate contest for the UK's best pilots.

The feat was all the more impressive considering that the 13-year-old has only been flying the helicopters for four months and was up against some very experienced competitors.

Mum Zena said: "Jack's really pleased and the Weymouth Heli Club, which he is a member of, are also pleased for him too.

"He was the youngest and least experienced pilot there and the average age at the competition was between 25 and 30.

"He's flown model planes since he was eight and then just decided recently to switch over to helicopters, which is completely different.

"We're very proud of him considering the level of people he was up against and how long they've been doing it for."

And the Year 9 pupil's mother explained that flying radio controlled helicopters is an expensive hobby to follow.

She added: "Jack's got two machines that he flies and they cost around £1,400 each. He's out every evening he can practising."

The teenager won't be in action again for a while but could turn his attentions to competitions further afield.

Zena said: "I don't think there's another competition in the UK that he can enter until May so we'll be looking to see if there are any in Europe that he can enter."