BROMSGROVE man Andrew Essex is on Cloud Nine after he recently achieved one of his major ambitions -- gaining his helicopter pilot's licence.

Proud of his new skills, Andrew's next ambition is to take his wife, Candia, up for a spin.

He's confident she won't be nervous up in the sky because it was Candia who taught him to fly.

Candia, who works for Burman Helicopters, instructs pupils at their base at Gloucester Airport, where she is the school manager.

But flying is not a new experience for Andrew, because his day job is as a commercial pilot for Channel Express on Electra aircraft.

Candia and Andrew live in Hillview Road, Lickey End.

The say they didn't conform to the stereotype image of couples who teach each other to drive by ending up rowing.

Candia said: "Andrew was a very good pupil and we agreed from the start that if it didn't work out we would make other arrangements. But I'm pleased to say we had no arguments."