A private pilot has recalled the moment they had to descend suddenly to avoid a paraglider.

The near miss happened over Chichester in April last year and the pilot has been commended for his actions in avoiding a collision.

The drama is revealed in a newly released report by the UK Airprox Board.

This works to ensure safety in the skies by investigating near misses and making safety recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Defence.

The pilot was in a Partenavia P.68 on April 9 when they came within hundreds of feet of the paraglider.

The Argus: Stock image of a Partenavia P68Stock image of a Partenavia P68 (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

They recalled changing frequency from Goodwood to Shoreham and then hearing a warning about paragliders in the area on the automatic terminal information service (ATIS), which gives critical information to pilots about weather, runways and notable flight activity.

Shortly after this, the paraglider was spotted approximately 100ft higher than the aircraft at less than one mile away.

The paraglider was on a cross-country flight when they heard an aircraft below and to the side of them.

The pilot quickly descended over 400ft to avoid the paraglider, who was dressed in bold colours to increase visibility. The P.68 pilot assessed the risk of a collision as "medium".

The Argus: Board members noted that the pilots of both aircraft had noticed each other at a less than ideal stageBoard members noted that the pilots of both aircraft had noticed each other at a less than ideal stage

The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) said it “commended the alertness of the paraglider pilot in hearing the aircraft and monitoring its track".

It also commended the P.68 pilot for the “prompt descent” upon seeing the paraglider.

BHPA praised Shoreham Airport’s foresight in putting a warning on its ATIS system regarding paragliding activity in the area, suggesting this was an “initiative that could be taken nationwide".