Cornwall's longest-serving airline has recruited two new first officers to pilot flights to the Isles of Scilly.

Simon Williams and Emily Bliss have taken to the skies with Lands End-based Skybus, which is part of the 90-year old Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.

Flying the Skybus Twin Otters is both new recruits' first experience of working for a commercial airline. Porthleven-born Mr Williams previously worked as a paramedic and pilot for the Cornwall Air Ambulance. He said: "I'm a local man, I love flying and I love the Scillies, so it's the perfect job."

Ms Bliss said that interaction with the passengers was a highlight of the job.

"You get to fly in a beautiful part of the world, and the customers are really appreciative of you showing them just how beautiful it really is," she said.

Skybus, which regularly flies from Land's End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton to the Scillies, has also promoted two first officers to become captains.

Ian Parsons has been a pilot with the company since 2008, while Mike Ryan-Fecitt was formerly a software engineer. He said: "I've progressed really quickly, which is surprising in the current climate, and now I am flying the Islander on my own which is a great step up."

Skybus has been operating flights to the Isles of Scilly for more than 25 years.

It operates six aircraft, and more than 60,000 people fly with the airline each year.