A 19-YEAR-OLD from Cricklewood is flying high after recently graduating from a prestigious military college.

Newly-qualified RAF officer Richard Davoren graduated as a Pilot Officer from the No 19 Initial Officer training course at the Officer and Aircrew Cadet Training unit, RAF Cranwell, in Linconshire.

Mr Davoren, a former cadet of 393 (Finchley) Squadron Air Training Corps said: "Anything is possible if you work hard enough.

"Becoming a pilot in the RAF has always been a lifelong dream of mine."

He joined 90 other cadets to parade outside the college hall in front of Air Chief Marshal Simon Bryant, Commander-in-Chief, Air Command.

The ceremony also included music from the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment and flypasts from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows and a Tornado aircraft from RAF Marham.

Mr Davoren, whose parents Kevin and Debbie Davoren still live in Cricklewood, attended St James Catholic High School, Colindale, before joining the RAF in November last year.

He will soon begin his professional training as a pilot.