A ONE-ARMED pilot with connections to North Yorkshire has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

Steven Robinson lost his right arm in a motorbike crash at the age of 18. He later made his own prosthetic arm and advises other amputees on limb design and manufacture.

Mr Robinson, who also restores vintage jukeboxes and gaming machines and has worked in computer programming and property rental, has been given the BEM for services to disabled people.

The 54-year-old, from Leeds, first developed his new arm to take lessons and get his private flying licence at Sherburn airfield, near Selby. He has also been awarded the Douglas Bader Memorial Trophy for his outstanding contribution to disabled pilots awarded by Flying Scholarship For The Disabled.

He said: "I’m flying high to be honoured for helping other disabled people to make the most of their lives and show them that anything is possible.

"My story proves that, with the right equipment and attitude, every one of us can break through phantom barriers and follow our dreams."

Mr Robinson is set to release his autobiography - titled No Arm In Trying - in 2018.