A Royal Air Force officer from Canvey played a major role in ceremonial events celebrating the RAF’s 100th anniversary.

Flight Lieutenant Nosheen Chaudry, a 35-year-old engineering officer based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, had the extraordinary honour of being among the first six runners in the RAF100 baton relay through London on the 100th birthday of the service.

During the next 100 days the RAF100 Baton Relay will visit every region of the UK and several overseas locations. It will be in East Anglia from June 20 to 29, and will visit the Royal Norfolk Show on 27 June.

Flt Lt Chaudry, a former pupil at Canvey’s Cornelius Vermuyden School, is a keen sportswoman and represents the RAF as an orienteer. She joined the first leg of the baton relay, running from the Royal Courts of Justice to the location of the RAF’s first headquarters, near Charing Cross.

She said: “The RAF gives everyone the chance to become involved in sport and adventure training. During my time in the service I have tried all kinds of sports and finally settled on orienteering.”

She studied engineering at the University of Birmingham, receiving funding in the form of a bursary from the Royal Air Force for the full three years of her studies.

On Sunday,. the Royal Air Force launched RAF100, a national campaign to mark its 100th year.

The relay will take the campaign to communities in every region of the UK, carried by 20 RAF sports associations, serving RAF personnel, reservists, RAF Air Cadets and veterans.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, Chief of the Air Staff, said: “In our 100th year we want to showcase the vital role the RAF continues to play in defending the British people and protecting our nation’s interests. Launched on April 1, the celebrations are a fitting recognition and thank you to the exceptional dedication, spirit and achievements of our men and women.

“They also encourage us to look to the future. The greatest legacy of RAF100 will be its ability to inspire a whole new generation so that together we can help shape our next century.”