The sky is the limit for Bruce Daniels, from Metfield, after British Open paramotoring crown

A paramotorist from Metfield has become a national champion at the British Open Paramotors Championships in Kent.

Bruce Daniels, who teaches the sport, which uses a paraglider wing and a two-stroke engine strapped to a person’s back, took the trophy at the competition this month.

Originally from the village, the 20-year-old is now a paramotoring instructor at Sky School in Oxfordshire.

He said: “When I was 14, I used to go to Norfolk Gliding Club, before moving into paramotoring at 16. I did that here at Sky School. A year later, I was teaching others and I have been here ever since.”

The six-day competition consisted of three categories: precision, navigation and economy.

Mr Daniels said: “Precision sees the competitors turn off their engines at around 500 to 1,000 feet and come down to see who can get closest to a ground target.

“Navigation uses a map to follow a route through hidden gates at the same sort of heights.

“You have 3.5kilos of fuel and have to make the biggest triangle shape and make it back to the airfield without running out.”

Doing well in both navigation and making a 50km triangle in economy, the paramotorist took the title on the last day after scoring 1,150 points out of 1,250 for precision.

“I am so happy that the training paid off,” said the aerospace engineering student at Bath University.

“I am now getting ready for the World Championships next month, which will also be in Kent.

“I am really looking forward to that,” he added.