UNDETERRED by low cloud and heavy rain, dozens of visitors made their way to Dartmoor Gliding Society's open day at Brentor Airfield on Saturday.

Apart from two demonstration glider flights and a dramatic series of fly-pasts by a Sea King helicopter from RAF Chivenor, the rest of the flying programme had to be cancelled, including a visit by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire.

However, visitors were welcomed into the clubhouse and hangar, where refreshments were served and plenty of 'weatherproof' attractions were laid on, including a static display of full-sized gliders and scale model aircraft, a lucky draw and competitions for adults and children.

Two attractions which proved popular with would-be pilots of all ages were a pair of flight simulators providing a realistic impression of being airborne in a modern glider — without even leaving the ground.

In order to help visitors who had purchased trial lessons but were then unable to fly because of the weather, Dartmoor Gliding Society instructors and members opened the airfield on Sunday and took advantage of the sunshine to get as many people as possible airborne.