THE brothers of an RAF pilot who died after keeping his plane away from the centre of a village paid their own special tributes to him at his funeral.

Mourners at the packed Roman Catholic church of St Mary and St Philip in Fordingbridge heard David and Paul Andrews recall their memories of Squadron Leader Mike Andrews, who grew up in Southampton and whose parents now live in Fordingbridge.

They referred to his nicknames of "Chuckles to many and Biggles to some", his love of flying, as well as music and sport, his skills as an interpreter and an organiser, his great enthusiasm for life and his generosity.

As well as thanking the RAF for its support since the tragedy, which claimed the lives of both Squadron Leader Andrews and Flight Lieutenant Steve Todd, they recalled some of the pranks he pulled as a boy.

Mourners were also told of the time he had a broken leg and had to keep having his plaster cast replaced because he carried on playing football.

The service was conducted by parish priest Father Clement Marshall, former parish priest Canon Peter Wilkie and RAF chaplains Father Alan Wilson and Father Chris Webb.

There was also a reminder of the way the pilots had stayed and kept their plane away from the village of Shap rather than use their ejector seats.

And afterwards, Squadron Leader Andrews's immediate senior officer where he was stationed at RAF Leeming in Yorkshire, Wing Commander Gordon Buckley, said: "Mike was a fantastic guy in all respects.

"He was an outstanding pilot who was always looking to get the job done and raise standards at the same time."

Leeming's commanding officer, Group Captain John Cunliffe, led a contingent of around 40 airmen and women, comprising pilots, ground crew and administration staff.

Family and friends were told the RAF will be saying its own goodbyes at a memorial service next month.

Wing Commander Buckley said: "It will have to be held in a hangar to accommodate everyone."

And in his own tribute, Group Captain Cunliffe spoke of the "two highly professional and skilled airmen", and added: "Everyone at RAF Leeming is shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely deaths of their colleagues."

An investigation into the cause of the crash is continuing.

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