Lord Mayor of York Coun Shan Braund got her chance to play Biggles when she took the controls of an RAF training aircraft.

Coun Braund, who admitted she had not been looking forward to the trip, threw caution to the wind and ended up having a fantastic time looping the loop and soaring above the clouds during her visit to RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

"I was apprehensive for a few days before because I'm not very keen on flying when I go on holiday," she said.

"But as it transpired I had a wonderful time. I went up with the chief instructor and he was superb and let me take the controls so I actually flew the plane at around 240mph.

"We also did a loop-the-loop, a twinkle roll and a brake turn.

"It was an experience I never dreamt I would have and I actually wouldn't mind going up again because it was such a fantastic experience."

Coun Braund, who made the annual visit with the rest of the civic party, flew in a Tucano, the RAF's basic fast jet training aircraft which has a maximum speed of 345 mph, with chief instructor Wing Commander Pete Round.

A flight simulator was also on hand for anyone who did not fly.

Coun Braund and the rest of the civic party were briefed by Station Commander Group Captain Ken Cornfield and given a tour of the air base.

Coun Braund said: "I was impressed because I didn't know that the RAF had helped during the floods. They are always on hand to help in an emergency. It's a disaster planning role which I didn't realise they had."

Updated: 08:35 Friday, April 27, 2001