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Aerial circus skills performer Lorraine Sadler is a natural when it comes to wing walking. Her usual job sees her working in harnesses and bungees.

The 35-year-old from Great Dunmow joined Team Guinot three years ago after hearing about the displays from a member of the group.

Lorraine warms-up before take-off

"I thought, 'wow that sounds fantastic', because I do aerial circus work already," explains Lorraine. "It's just a matter of taking it up a bit higher really. I thought, yes, that sounds for me."

After leaving school, Lorraine trained as a dancer before going onto aerial acrobatics. Wing walking was a logical step for her.

Physically fit, Lorraine had to undergo a lot of training before she took to the skies.

"You have to do a lot of practicing on the ground. Practicing getting on top of the plane and down again and into the rig. 

"You go through it hundreds and hundreds of times, as you would if you were in the air," says Lorraine. "Then you just get up there and practice in the air."

Lorraine shows-off her aerobatic skills

Battling against the elements on top of the Boeing Stearman biplane, Lorraine doesn't have time to worry about the risks involved.

"Going along the runway before take-off is very exciting," says Lorraine. "You're not tired yet. You've just got the anticipation. You can see the crowds faces.

"It's really exciting that first moment," she adds.

The planes travel 150mph through the sky

Loraine will be taking to the skies again this summer over Southend as part of the Festival of Air, and will be reaching speeds of 150mph as she circles over the seafront.

"It's just down the road for me," says Lorraine. "It's exciting. A nice one to do."