A TEENAGER from Worcester has taken to the skies, learning to fly a helicopter before he can legally drive a car.

Ollie Derbyshire, 14, was given flying lessons by his parents for his birthday last year and has been having flying lessons out of Gloucester airport every three weeks with the goal of being fast-tracked to getting his solo flying license at 16.

Ollie's father Peter said: "He has always been very interested in the military and by chance I found he could start helicopter lessons at 14.

"He has had 11 lessons so far and they tell me he is an absolute natural.

"He can't fly on his own till he is 16 which I find funny because he could fly a helicopter and still not be legally allowed to drive a car.

"When he does make the step up to solo flying he will be at a real advantage because he has that bit more experience and I have no doubt he will be excellent.

"He absolutely loves it and with the weather we had last summer especially, he has had the perfect conditions for someone learning to fly."

Ollie has a view to a possible career as a military pilot and Mr Derbyshire added that he "definitely deserves a pat on the back for his efforts."