A FORMER fast jet pilot from County Durham is hoping to inspire the next generation of the UK's flying military personnel with his new book.

Paul Heasman, of Sedgefield, has drawn on knowledge and experience from his career in the Royal Air Force (RAF) to pen and self-publish The ABC of the RAF.

The 41-year-old is a former RAF officer and qualified flying instructor at RAF Valley, Anglesey, North Wales.

Created off the back of his eight-year-old daughter Holly's homework, his debut book is aimed at four to 11-year-olds with an interest in aviation.

Mr Heasman said: "The ABC of the RAF was originally written as a standalone book for my daughter which I printed as a single photo book.

"I created the original book to help my daughter with her research for a school project on the Royal Air Force centenary.

"I received numerous positive comments about the book from teachers, parents and other school children so I decided to look into publishing the book."

Readers will learn about the force structure, equipment and techniques employed by the RAF in its centenary year over 56 pages.

Included in the work is more than 60 images - many of which have been taken by Mr Heasman, who is a keen a keen air to air photographer with photographs published in international aviation magazines.

Born and raised in Sedgefield, the father-of-two attended Sedgefield Primary School and Sedgefield Community College.

He was interested in aviation from the outset and was a member of Hartlepool Air Cadets until the age of 18.

Mr Heasman graduated from Loughborough University in 1999 with a BSc in physics and was commissioned into the RAF after graduating from RAF College Cranwell, in Lincolnshire, in February, 2000.

He completed his fast jet flying training and carried out a frontline tour on the Tornado F3 at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire.

The servicemen was selected for instructional duties at RAF Valley in 2006 and was part of the team that introduced the Hawk T2 into RAF Service in 2009.

Mr Heasman, who left the RAF in 2015 and now works for BAE Systems as an instructor and syllabus designer, said: "I was inspired as a child to follow my dreams and become an RAF pilot and hopefully my book will inspire children to do the same.”

The ABC of the RAF costs £14.99 plus postage and packaging.

For more information visit facebook.com/ABCofRAF or email ABCofRAF@outlook.com