A GROUP of businessmen and academics have been on a factfinding tour of one of the region's air bases.

The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York annually awards tankards to members of the forces who have made a contribution to the community.

And, during the tour by members of RAF Linton-on-Ouse, they were allowed to try their hand at the Tucano flight simulator and see the day-to-day running of the RAF's busiest air traffic control tower. The party included chairman of trustees and governor of the company Adrian Horsley, immediate past governor Andrew Marr, and the former vice-chancellor of York University, Professor Sir Ron Cooke.