A Cirencester glider pilot has been recognised for his volunteer representative work at national and the European level.

David Roberts, from Ewen near Cirencester was awarded the Silver Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale , the governing body of air sports, at its annual conference and awards ceremony, this year held at Luxor, Egypt.

David has been involved in sporting aviation for 50 years, and is a member and until earlier this year chairman of Cotswold Gliding Club at Aston Down airfield near Minchinhampton.

The nomination by the Royal Aero Club of the UK gave the citation for the award as: "David has been a vital contributor to the development of European regulations, ensuring representation for the interests of the European Air Sports community of an estimated 600,000 participants across Europe, at the highest level.

“David Roberts has dedicated much of the last 20 years, in a voluntary capacity, to defending the rights of the Air Sports community throughout Europe."

Speaking of his award, David said: "“As President of Europe Air Sports I was really just the figure-head of a great team of experts from countries across Europe. "Their technical expertise and ability to work co-operatively with the European regulators and institutions has resulted in a significant change of direction in the EU’s approach to harmonised rules for light and recreational aviation."