A VOLUNTEER with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is flying high - after receiving a surprise invitation to this month’s Royal wedding.

Mike Bevington thought it was a mistake when he got the letter to say he was one of 1,200 members of the public being invited to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day.

The 80-year-old’s name was put forward by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after requests for deserving nominees were invited by the North Yorkshire Lord Lieutenant’s office. His nomination recognises more than a decade’s dedicated work as a volunteer for the rapid response emergency charity.

“I was in such a state of shock when I got the letter I really did think it was a hoax initially,” said Mike, from Harrogate, who will be taking his wife Cathy to the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19, where they will be able to watch the arrival and departure of the bride and groom.

It will be the second time Mike has attended a major Royal event. When he was just 15 years-old he was a member of the Yorkshire Combined Cadet Force contingent which was invited to London to watch the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth.