A FORMER Newport man, now serving with the British Forces in Cyprus, was recently given the chance to fly with the Red Arrows.

Sergeant Kevin Collett, who grew up in Baneswell, has been stationed at Episkopi Garrison in Cyprus since 2009 where he works as the Garrison Company Quartermaster Sergeant.

He lives in Cyprus with his wife Mandy and children Sarah-Jayne, 20, and Daniel, 18, who are also from Newport.

Sgt Collett explained how the Red Arrows visit Cyprus every year for two months where they complete their pre-season training.

He said the Red Arrows were this time practising for events such as the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

Sgt Collett was one of five members of British Forces Cyprus selected to go on a 40 minute flight with the Red Arrows above RAF Akrotiri as a reward for their hard work.

He said: "Having had a medical, several safety briefs and fitted out with our flying suits we were given a 40 minute flight in the skies above Cyprus which was incredible."

The former Duffryn High School pupil joined 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in 1985 aged 19 and has served all over the world with tours and exercises in Germany, Belize, Northern Ireland, Canada, Kenya, Bosnia, Iraq and Sierra Leone.