Macclesfield Express

Mini eye-in-the-sky views are online hit

- KAREN BRITTON

BREATH- TAKING views and curious images have captured the town as it has never been seen before.

The pictures were photograph­ed by gadget fan Alan Worthingto­n, 57, who has filmed Macclesfie­ld using a tiny camera fixed to a radio controlled drone which he flies hundreds of feet into the air.

His short films, uploaded to YouTube, show the dramatic scenery as the drone flies high above the roof tops and pans around to show 360-degree view as far as the Peak District and even Manchester.

The eye in the sky also shows some of the town’s more popular landmarks from a unique perspectiv­e, with the band stand and skate park in South Park looking more like alien spaceships.

Alan developed a love for remote control toys when he started upgrading mini car kits in his garage on Ivy Road, Macclesfie­ld eight years ago. He now races the cars at meetings around the country.

It was on a trip to buy parts at a model shop that he saw a drone and decided he wanted to give them a try.

He has invested in a £1,000 Yuneec Typhoon 4k and has been taking clear footage above locations in Macclesfie­ld including South Park, West Park and Sutton reservoir, posting the mesmerisin­g videos onto his You Tube channel.

Alan said: “The drone is my newest toy. It uses quite sophistica­ted technology and links into satellites.

“It can hover in the same place for a long time. I enjoy the quality of filming and unusual views. When I’m out in the park people are interested and ask lots of questions but I’ve not seen any other drone own- ers in Macclesfie­ld.

“It’s quite weather permitting and you can fly at night, when it looks like a little spaceship with its LED lights.

“People have given drones a bad name, flying too high near to airports. There are no laws to prevent you using them in public areas but I try not to fly close to crowds of people. I don’t want to make a nuisance of myself.”

Alan lives with his mum Mavis who he cares for on Ivy Road and works in the warehouse at Tesco on Exchange Street.

He said: “I work early unloading trucks and being a single guy means I’ve got time to get out on sunny afternoons and use the drone.

“I’m self taught making my model cars and it’s a bit of a passion.

“I love the views you get of Macclesfie­ld, it gives a whole new perspectiv­e.”

To see Alan’s full video go to macclesfie­ldexpress.co.uk.

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 ??  ?? ●» Alan Worthingto­n with his drone and, top of page, some of the fantastic views including, right, of the bandstand in South Park Matt Ratcliffe
●» Alan Worthingto­n with his drone and, top of page, some of the fantastic views including, right, of the bandstand in South Park Matt Ratcliffe

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