MARTIN Daglish has struck gold - by racing model planes.

The 36-year-old tax manager at CLB, in Manchester, won top honours in competitions held in the UK and Portugal.

At the British championships, staged at RAF Barkston Heath, Lincolnshire, he was named as the country’s champion ‘‘pilot’’ after he scooped gold medals in three categories.

Martin, of Stalybridge, a member of the Barton Model Flying Club, then collected a gold and a bronze at a tournament in Portugal. In each race, competitors have to complete laps in the quickest possible time.

They control their aircraft, which are powered by 2.5cc diesel engines, fly at up to 130 miles an hour and must have a maximum wingspan of three feet, via a 52ft long steel wire.

Martin took up the pastime at the age of 10 after seeing some older lads fly theirs.

He owns about eight planes which he made from wood, glass and carbon fibre in a workshop at his home.

‘‘It’s not an expensive hobby - each plane costs about £100 - but it is time consuming,’’ said Martin.

‘‘Each plane takes about 70 or 80 hours to make.’’

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