Paragliding on BBC TV show

A BBC anchorman whose show is watched by seven million people went up, up and away over the Shropshire Hills when he took a flying lesson.

Matt Baker, presenter of BBC1's Countryfile, took a paragliding lesson with Mark Dann, from Beyond Extreme, Shropshire's only paragliding school.

Mr Baker and co-host Julia Bradbury had been filming earlier on the Long Mynd, where they met wardens from the National Trust who help to manage Shropshire's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mr Baker then enjoyed a spectacular tandem flight with Beyond Extreme's chief flying instructor, Mr Dann.

Mr Dann said it was the second time he had been chosen by the Countryfile team to showcase paragliding in the beautiful Shropshire Hills.

He said: "We had a fantastic day with the Countryfile crew on Monday, who were thrilled to be back in Shropshire as they consider it to be one of England's hidden gems.

"We were pleased to be chosen above all the other paragliding schools in the UK. We have one of the best flying sites in Europe here on the Long Mynd, which is a very special place."

Mr Dann, who is based in Melverley, has seen Beyond Extreme go from strength to strength in recent times.

With students from all over the UK learning to paraglide, the sport has increased in popularity due not just to the thrill of flying but because it has very little impact on the environment.

Mr Dann added that he was indebted to many wonderful Shropshire farmers, who were supportive of the sport. The BBC 1 Countryfile programme with footage from Shropshire will be broadcast on February 14 at 6pm.

Countryfile is one of the BBC's flagship shows.

A paragliding video of Beyond Extreme's Mr Dann teaching in Spain is available on YouTube.