Local beauty pageant star Megan Wickland took to the air at Oakwood Theme Park recently to raise money for charity.

The 11-year-old Miss Inspiration and Miss Beauty UK finalist joined her dad for a flight on the Pembrokeshire theme park’s Vertigo ride as part of a series of fundraising activities she is taking part in this year.

The sponsored ride raised money for the Paul Sartori Foundation and the National Autistic Society.

This will be the fourth year Megan has taken part in Miss Inspiration, having previously finished third, second and first runner-up. She has also won Miss Natural Beauty three years in a row as well as Miss Congeniality.

Oakwood Theme Park’s Natalie Hunt said: “Megan had an amazing time on Vertigo, she was pretty much giggling throughout the entire flight and, to be honest, I think her dad was more scared than she was!

“We wish her every luck for the finals in November and congratulate her on all the amazing fundraising she is doing for a host of deserving causes,” she added.

Vertigo is a 160-foot high sky coaster. Combining a bungee-style jump with a freefall swing, riders reach speeds of 128 kph in just 1.5 seconds.

One, two or three flyers are suited in a nylon harness and then attached to a cable that pulls them (Superman-style) to the top of the launch tower. From 160 feet above ground, riders release themselves with a parachute like ripcord... then free-fall at more than 75 mph!

When Vertigo opened in 1997 the ride was the first of its kind in the UK.

It has flown the entire Welsh rugby team, Geraint Thomas and Gareth Bale!