A PILOT returning to home turf for the Clacton Air Show had a surprise reunion with an old schoolmate.

Wing walker pilot Martyn Carrington, who first learned to fly at the Clacton airfield, had a flying visit from school chum Danny Overton.

The pair were classmates at Colbayns High, but had not met in years.

Mr Overton, of Tunstall Close, St Osyth took the opportunity to pay his friend a visit at the Guinot Wing Walkers’ temporary base at Clacton airfield, along with children Emily, eight, and Lewis, six.

He said: “Me and Martyn were in class together for six years. We were good friends.

“I heard he would be down here at 11am and as I hadn’t seen him for about 15 years, I thought I would bring the children “We had a fair chat about old times.”

Mr Overton remembered the time the pair, both just 17, took an early flight with Martyn at the controls of “the oldest-looking plane I have ever seen in my life”.

He said Martyn assured him there was nothing to worry about before what turned out to be a “stomach-dropping” flight.

As they came in to land, Martyn told him: “There’s something I haven’t told you – I’m not too good at landing yet.”

Martyn was pleasantly surprised to see his old friend.

He said: “Last time I saw Danny, I was probably sat next to him in maths class!

“The whole world works on Facebook now – I had just put up ‘off to see my family and friends in Clacton’ and Danny saw it and surprised me.

“The air show is fantastic. It always coincides with my birthday, so I get to see my family and pick up my presents. And it’s great, as I worked in the airfield here from 1983 until 1999, so I know all the guys at the Clacton Aero Club.”

Martyn, 36, who grew up on Jameson Road, finds it a special pleasure to fly for the crowds in his home town.

He said: “When I come back here, it means even more to me.

“It makes you work harder. My family and friends are watching, so I put in an extra effort to make it look nice.”