FLYING high as he says goodbye to Easingwold Primary School is retiring headteacher David Pike.

Mr Pike has been headteacher at Easingwold for more than 22 years and, as a special surprise, parents and staff organised a flight over the school in a microlite.

Mr Pike, who lives in Husthwaite, with his wife, Gill, said: "I was under strict instructions that I had to go home for lunch.

"At first my wife told me that they'd organised a parachute jump from 10,000 feet - but then told me they had organised the flight. It came as a bit of a shock."

Mr Pike was taken up by David Smith, who has his own airfield at Husthwaite.

"It was very frightening, it was like a car seat - you're just sitting there.

"As we came over the school all the children were sitting on the field and had spelt out 'Thank you Mr Pike' -- it was wonderful."

When he landed he was presented with more leaving gifts, including a mini tape-deck and tapes and a huge cake decorated with an aeroplane, made by the school cook and iced by parents.

Mr Pike, 58, has worked at Easingwold for 22 years, having moved from a school in South Yorkshire.

He said what he had enjoyed most were the children and the people.

"I will miss them all, they've been wonderful and I've had a super time. They've been so supportive and so kind."

He is now looking forward to a busy retirement and is not short of ideas, being keen on singing, badminton, drama, gardening, cycling and walking.

The new headteacher will be Vanessa Huws Jones, who is moving from a school near Scunthorpe.

Meanwhile, Mr and Mrs Pike are expecting their first grandchild on September 1.

PICTURE: David Pike on board the microlite for his flight over the school