Opportunities for members of the Petersfield-based Sky Surfing Club to take to the sky on their hang glider and paraglider wings have been frustratingly few and far between.

April has gone on record as another very wet month for southern England, which has hindered flying opportunities.

Pilots have had to make the most of the slightest of chances to clock up airtime, so the promise of a dry day and a gentle northerly breeze recently attracted an enthusiastic contingent to the slopes of Harting Down, overlooking the West Sussex village of South Harting.

The light conditions were better suited to paragliding, but sole hang glider pilot and current UK champion Grant Crossingham also attempted aviation.

Immediately after take-off he flew east along the South Downs, past Beacon Hill and Treyford to Linch Down, where he climbed in thermals to a height of 2,450ft.

Flying upwind towards Stedham, he located a further thermal climb over 2,500ft.

However, after almost reaching the A272 he began losing altitude and had to continue east around Cocking to Heyshott Down.

Sinking ever groundward, he was unable to find any significant lift and so was forced to land in a field close to Cocking.

The flight lasted more than 90 minutes.

Crossingham said: “I had an unexpectedly nice flight.

“I landed right next to a retired farmer’s yard and began the long walk back to the car.

“A very kind lady from Bepton – a life-long sailor – then gave me a lift.

“It was a very enjoyable day and I got to meet some interesting local people.”

Brian Parkins