He cannot drive on public roads, vote in elections or buy a pint of beer in a pub. But 16-year-old Mark Jamieson-Franks can fly solo to Paris.

The teenager has become one of the youngest people to pass all the exams necessary to gain a pilot's licence.

This weekend he will be flying solo to the Isle of Wight as one of Britain's youngest pilots.

Mark, of Round Hill Crescent, Brighton, lives for flying.

He can hardly wait for his 17th birthday on August 25, when he will officially become a fully-qualified pilot able to take passengers in a light aircraft.

At present, he can fly solo to virtually anywhere in Europe providing he is under the full guidance of a qualified instructor who knows his precise route.

Flying instructor Stuart Scotford-Smith, of Ace Aviation based at Shoreham airport, says he has never known anyone pass their skills tests at such a young age. He described the teenager as a "natural".

Mark began flying at the age of ten after his grandmother Renee paid for him to fly in a light aircraft as a treat.

His interest got off to a flying start and now he hopes to become one of the UK's youngest flying instructors.

Since leaving Lewes Old Grammar School in the summer, he has been concentrating on his flying tests.

All his money from part-time jobs working at McDonald's and as a pizza delivery boy has been spent on lessons.

Mark said: "I went up in an aircraft at the age of ten and I have been hooked on flying ever since.

"I am not interested in becoming an airline pilot, I prefer to fly at 120 mph watching the world below rather than see it flash by at 500 mph.

"I just love it when I am up there in the clouds. I was not all that academic at school but I have put my mind to the meteorological, navigational and technical exams needed for a pilot's licence."

Mark has already piloted the Cessna 192 used for Southern FM's Sky Patrol to give traffic information.

His mother, Wendy, has no idea where Mark got his flying skills from.

She said: "There is no flying background in our family whatsoever. You won't get me going up in a plane. I don't like flying on commercial flights."

"I know some parents buy their sons and daughters a car for their 17th or 18th birthday but I am certainly not buying him a plane, unless I win the lottery."

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said: "Although there have been teenagers who have taken the exams before the age of 17, Mark would be one of the youngest pilots in the country ready to take up a full licence on his 17th birthday."