Warwickshire's leading flying club is celebrating the arrival of its ninth aircraft, after navigating its way through the most successful 12 months in its 22-year history.

Wellesbourne Aviation, based at Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome near Stratford-upon-Avon, offers its 400 members flying lessons, training, aerobatics, and aircraft hire.

The business was bought out in 1999 by Peter Newbold, Richard Jerrom and Geoff Holloway, partners at Solihull accountancy firm Jerrom Associates, after spotting its potential in a growing leisure market.

They have since made a significant investment in updating and expanding both the facilities and the fleet.

The move, says Peter, is paying off and the club is now the largest and most successful in the Midlands.

"We were determined to turn the business around, increase our appeal and expand our market. Our strategy is proving successful, and I am proud to say that turnover this year has already been our best to date."

He admits the idea for the business venture was a result of his hobby.

"It was always my ambition to become a pilot, but I was put off by the cost of gaining a pilot's licence" he said.

"I chose to qualify and practise as a chartered accountant. In 1993, when our accountancy firm was well established, I joined Wellesbourne Aviation to train for my licence so I could fly at weekends. When the club came up for sale, we could see the business's potential and took on the challenge to turn it around."

Stephanie Wall, operations manager at Wellesbourne Aviation, is also a keen aviator and a qualified pilot.

She said: "Our growth over the last two years has been phenomenal. This time last year we had five aircraft; we now have nine."

Wellesbourne Aviation is a Civil Aviation Authority registered training facility and has around 80 students currently undertaking training.