THREE Huddersfield people are flying high - after graduating as officers.

They passed out in front of the Queen at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire

Leon Tidbury, Hayley Marsden and Greg Coles, who are all 24, graduated as flying officers from the Officer and Aircrew Cadet Training Unit.

All joined 147 other cadets outside the historic College Hall to parade in front of the Queen, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy.

There were flypasts by the Red Arrows and four Typhoon ‘Eurofighter’ aircraft.

Leon, whose parents Martin and Sandra still live at Huddersfield, attended Honley High School and Huddersfield New College before graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA (Hons) in economics and policy.

He joined the RAF last year and will now begin his professional training at the School of Fighter Control at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.

He said: “It has been long and demanding but incredibly rewarding. Having the Queen attend our graduation parade only served to make it more so.”

Hayley’ parents Paul and Kim Marsden live in Huddersfield. She attended Rastrick High School before graduating from Liverpool University with a BA (Hons) in English and sociology.

Now that she has completed her IOT course she will begin her professional training with the administrative branch.

“I’m extremely pleased to have been awarded my commission,” she said. “It’s taken a lot of hard work and time so I was glad to have graduated.”

Greg is the son of Quinton and Kay Coles, of Bradley.

He attended King James’ School, Almondbury, before graduating from the University of Salford with a MEng (Hons) in aeronautical engineering.

He joined the RAF last year and will soon start his professional training with the engineering branch.

“It was an honour to graduate in front of The Queen on one of the proudest days of my life,” said Greg.

Like Leon and Hayley, Greg is a former air cadet with 59 (Huddersfield) Sqn where he attained the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer and had the honour of being appointed the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet.