FIONA Burnell, who went to school in Bradford on Avon, became one of the newest airwomen in the Royal Air Force as she graduated from basic training with a trophy.

Ms Burnell was one of 50 new airmen and airwomen to graduate in front of friends and family having successfully completed ten weeks of intensive basic training at RAF Halton near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

The training at RAF Halton is designed to take the new recruit and transform them into an airman fit for operations by laying in place the foundation stones they will build on throughout their career.

Not only did Ms Burnell, 25, from Bath, successfully complete the course, she was awarded the Mayor of Aylesbury Trophy, which is presented to the recruit who has shown the best overall performance in all aspects of training.

She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my nine weeks training here at Recruit Training Squadron. I have learned so much and met so many people.

"The highlight of my time here has been the Initial Force Protection Training but I have benefited enormously from the physical training elements. I was overjoyed to have won this award and I look forward now to starting the next stage of my professional training with the Royal Air Force.”

Mr Burnell, who studied at St Laurence School, before joining the Royal Air Force, will now begin training as a RAF police officer.

Squadron Leader Matt Tope, Officer Commanding Recruit Training Squadron, said: “Today is a proud day for Fiona, as well as her family; achieving success in Basic Training requires mental, physical and emotional strength, because the course is far from easy, and a great sense of achievement is felt by all, including the instructors who help them towards their objective of graduating.

"She is more than ready to start the next phase of her career, and build on what he has achieved already. The operational environment poses significant challenges, and training our people optimally prepares them for these challenges.

"The RAF is always looking for more people to join in our success, and I would encourage anybody who thinks they may be interested in a fast-moving and demanding environment to visit their local Armed Forces Careers Office or go to www.rafcareers.com.