ONE of the best pilots in the Royal Air Force made a flying visit to the Borders to inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

Flight Lieutenant Stewart Campbell, from Peebles, is a member of the Lincolnshire-based Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.

He was guest of honour at the Air Cadets prize giving night at 2180 Squadron in Galashiels.

Cadets were treated to a fascinating and detailed insight to a day in the Red Arrows.

Flight Lieutenant Campbell, the son of former Peebles policeman Ian, joined the Red Arrows last year and has just completed his first year flying the famous Red Hawks at air shows across the world - including over his hometown of Peebles - as Red 2. In 2015 Flt Lt Campbell will fly as Red 4.

Cadets from the Squadron first met Flight Lieutenant Campbell in 2008 when he was chosen as the RAF’s Tucano Display Pilot when he arranged a visit to his base at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire.

It was also a very special night for one young member of the Squadron when Flight Lieutenant Stewart Campbell presented Cadet Ewan Ramage, from Melrose, with the Squadron’s “Best Cadet Trophy” for 2014.

Ewan was also presented with a Wing Blue for Swimming after winning two Gold and one Silver medal at a recent air cadet competition.

Cpl Decal Broatch presented Flt Lt Campbell with an engraved Quaich to commemorate his visit to 2180 Squadron.

Later this month, 12 cadets will join 140 other cadets from across South East Scotland Wing at Barry Buddon Training Camp near Dundee for a weekend of rock climbing, mountain biking, shooting and leadership activities.

The Squadron is hoping to visit the Red Arrows at their base at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.