FORMER Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupil Katie Davis will be keeping her eyes on the skies this summer – for she has risen through the ranks to become a flight control sergeant in the RAF.

The 23-year-old has already completed a six month tour of Iraq and her next assignment will see her co-orindating hundreds of flights at RAF Waddington’s International Air Show in Lincolnshire in July.

The show will feature displays from the famous Red Arrows and classic wartime planes such as the Lancaster Bomber and Spitfire.

Katie, 23, from Broadway, Helmshore, joined the RAF after leaving school, aged 16.

Flight Lieutenant Martin Williamson said: “She has done exceptionally well to reach the rank of sergeant at such an early age.

“Her skills will really be put to the test throughout the air show.

“We handle hundreds of aircraft movements but I’ve no doubt Katie will rise to the challenge.”

Her mum Julie said: “Katie has done really well. She was the only woman and the youngest person on that course.”