AFTER a wait of almost 70 years, a high-flying 92-year-old from Cirencester leapt at the chance to take to the skies in a Spitfire aircraft once again.

As a 16-year-old in 1943, Joy Lofthouse was intent on helping her country in during the Second World War and decided to applyied for a job as a pilot at the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), which she saw advertised in a flying magazine.

The application was a success and soon her life changed forever as she became one of only 164 women female pilots, known as the "Attagirls" who flew a variety of aircraft including Spitfires and Hurricanes frombetween factories and military airfields across the country to where they were required.

And last Thursday she was able to climb into the cockpit of a Spitfire once more at Boultbee Flight Academy in Chichester.

Although Joy’s co-pilot controlled the plane’s take off and landing, Joy was able to relive her younger days by flying the iconic plane.

Joy said: “I had a wonderful time. It just brought back the feeling of being young again.

"Being my age you love it when you are reminded of being young.

“It was absolutely marvellous.

"It was so great to be in a Spitfire again.

"It smelt the same and the controls felt the same.”

Joy, a former Cirencester Grammar School pupil, flew a variety of 18 single seater aircraft in the war, which were all destined to be used in combat.

She told the Standard: “Our job was very general.

"We took the planes across country.

"We flew any planes that were going to be used in operation.

“It was a wonderful time to fly and I would have done it for nothing.”

This year marks 70 years since Joy, who is a member of the Spitfire Association, which meets at Kemble Airfield, last flew a Spitfire and that is why she decided to get in the cockpit again and contacted the flight academy in Chichester to arrange it.

And she may not be finished, adding that she may fly again if she reaches another milestone.

She said: “I am not sure If will fly again unless I live 'til 100.”