THE SKY is the limit for a Tyldesley flying club after achieving their 15th British record in just 14 years.

Members of Tyldesley Model Flying Club were over the moon after successfully launching a radio controlled sea plane which flew 3,480ft into the air, beating the existing record by 1,000ft.

President of the club Andrew Ellison made the plane from an old model and launched it with the help of a six-strong team from the flying club and onlookers from Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club who had given permission for them to use a stretch of Pennington Flash Country Park which they own.

The flying club, based at Kay House Farm off Higher Green at Astley Moss, has been busy breaking British records since 1987 and recently smashed the existing electric model plane speed record of 65 mph with a new figure of 180mph.

They also hold the title for the longest duration of a closed-circuit model helicopter by notching-up 120 miles.

But they had been keen to break the sea plane record for some time and had wanted to find a local spot to launch the plane from.

Andrew, who joined the club 20 years ago, said: "We needed a local water spot, but the canal wasn't big enough and so we got in touch with the sailing club and were given permission to use the Flash.

"The club has become well known nationally with us setting so many new records. No other club has beat any of the records we've set yet."

The flying club was originally set up in 1966 and attracts members from as young as eight years old and upwards, with 55 members on their books at the moment.

Dad-of-one Andrew, who lives in Daisy Hill, and works as a project engineer for BNFL, is keen to set up even more record breaking sessions.

The 34-year-old added: "We might try and work with the sailing club again for a special record session. New members are always welcome. My two-year-old son Daniel is just getting into planes and is convinced every plane that goes over the house has been made by me!"

Anyone wanting to join the flying club is urged to phone Andrew and pop along to a meeting to see what goes on before buying the kit which costs about £250.

Andrew can be contacted on 01942 819455 or browse the website at www.tmfc.org.uk