Last updated at 07:32, Friday, 04 July 2008

MARTIN Sandwith, 34, a roofer from Workington, has been selected for the British Paragliding and Hang Gliding team to compete in the Bleriot Cup against France.

Last year Martin won the prestigious UK National Paragliding Cross-Country League championship 2007 against fierce competition from 160 pilots representing the best fliers in Britain.

The Bleriot Cup is held each year, alternating between the UK and France.

The event will be held from Monday, July 14, at Sedbergh for three day, and will feature flying sites in the Lake District, Pennines and Howgill Fells.

It will be the first time the event has been held in the north of England.

“This is a great way to kick off the new season," said Martin. “I heard the news last weekend when I was flying at the Long Mynd ridge near Birmingham.

“Conditions were poor for flying, but hearing I'd been chosen to fly for the national team made up for it.

“The British team won the Bleriot Cup in 2004 after it had been in the hands of the French for many years. We have won it annually for three years since then.

“There will be six team members flying, and these mountains are my home ground. There will be set tasks each day, either big triangular courses over the Lake District mountains, or flights of 80 miles or so downwind across country.”

His partner Melanie Smith, who lives with Martin in Low Seaton, presented him with Aisha, a baby girl, at the end of last year.

“She’s an absolute delight,” said Martin in his other role as a proud father.

First published at 19:45, Thursday, 03 July 2008
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk