Veteran female Spitfire pilot dies aged 94

A World War II veteran who was one of the first women to fly Spitfires has died aged 94.

Trailblazer Joy Lofthouse, from Cirencester, was one of only 164 women who were allowed into the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during the conflict.

The group dubbed the 'Attagirls' were based in White Waltham in Berkshire and were responsible for flying Royal Air Force and Royal Navy planes between factories and military airfields across the country.

They were trained to fly 38 types of aircraft but were often sent out to fly planes for the first time, with little navigation.

The 'Attagirls' had to convince RAF bosses that they could be trusted in the cockpit, but once they did, aviation bosses realised the valuable contribution they were making to the war effort.

Joy hit the headlines in May 2015 after flying a Spitfire for the first time in 70 years to mark Victory in Europe Day.

The then 92-year-old was accompanied by a co-pilot who controlled take off and landing but allowed Joy to take over while they were in the air.

In her youth, Joy played tennis at Cirencester Grammar School and last year she was guest of honour in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, where she received a rapturous reception from the Centre Court crowd and fellow guests including David Beckham, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst.

A spokesperson for the Royal International Air Tattoo, which Joy attended on several occasions, said the organisation was saddened to hear Joy had passed away.

Brian Woodcock, a former serviceman from Cirencester said Joy was "an inspirational woman".