FLYING high at the age of 90, a North Yorkshire pensioner is still taking to the skies at every opportunity.

Allan Snowdon, of Oxton, near Tadcaster, was celebrating his 90th birthday today as the oldest active member of York Gliding Centre, at Rufforth, York.

Mr Snowdon took up gliding at the age of 75, and is now a veteran in the cockpit.

"I love getting down to the gliding club, it is a wonderful place," said Mr Snowdon.

"I took to flying quite late in life, but it is great for me. Everyone at the gliding club is such good company. I really do enjoy it."

Mr Snowdon always has company at the gliding club, taking a "safety officer" in the form of an instructor with him on all his flights.

Mr Snowdon said: "My late wife told me she would only let me go if I always had someone else with me, she was always thinking of my safety."

The birthday celebrations at the centre were also boosted by other flying enthusiasts.

A surprise party with friends, cards and a birthday cake was topped by a flight in a Second World War Chipmunk glider, which really made his day.

"I never thought I would get a ride in that, it was smashing to take to the skies in it, we flew over to my house, then down to York, it was a great experience."

Updated: 09:47 Friday, May 02, 2003