Chocks away for home-made plane

Bill Knott took 10 years to build the plane

A pensioner has finished building his own plane a decade after he started.

Bill Knott, 72, of Inverness, painstakingly assembled the aircraft in his back garden from a kit sent bit by bit in the post.

The plane, which can reach 200mph, recently completed its successful maiden flight from Inverness Airport.

Mr Knott, who also recently acquired his pilot's licence, said he took on the project after his wife told him to take up a hobby.

He said he decided to build a plane after always being interested in aircraft.

"The first time the plane flew it was in the hands of the test pilot.

Construction work took place in Mr Knott's back garden

"It was very nerve wracking because you have put it together.

"There's 13,000 rivets in the plane and you are a little bit nervous that you may have done something incorrect."

The grandfather-of-eight, who is afraid of heights, is currently planning his next project.