BUDDING pilots at Taunton Junior Boys School had an early Christmas treat when a helicopter from RNA Yeovilton touched down in their playing field.

And for one small boy, Mark Tissot, it was a wonderful ninth birthday present.

His special day coincided with the flying visit to the school, in the week of December 13, 1991.

With the other first to third formers, he was able to look over the helicopter, of the type used in the Gulf war, and later learn more about it through a talk by its crew, Lieut Terry Tyack, and Petty Officers Les Lovitt and Pete Prescott.

The youngsters even had a chance to try on a helicopter pilot’s special flying suit.

They will use what they found out in creative writing and other lessons.

The visit was the brainchild of second-form teacher Clair Stunnell, who managed to organise it through family air force links.