A FEMALE engineer who works on helicopters bound for Afghanistan has been named the best in Britain.

Senior Aircraftwoman Kerry Winters – currently serving in the war-torn country – scooped gold in the mechanical competition section of the UK Skills Competition 2010.

The contest sees tradespeople from all over Britain going head-to-head in their chosen field of expertise.

SAC Winters, 23, is a mechanical technician with 78 Squadron and works on Merlin helicopters at RAF Benson, near Wallingford.

The UK finals, held at HMS Sultan in Gosport, Hampshire saw SAC Winters take on engineers from British Airways, Thomas Cook, QinetiQ, Newcastle Academy and the Royal Navy.

Each competitor had to undergo six separate intense skills tests.

They included making an item based on an engineering drawing and demonstrating hand riveting techniques.

She said: “It was an honour to represent 78 Squadron and I found the competition really challenging.

“My trade training at RAF Cosford and experience on the Merlin helicopter at RAF Benson really helped me.

“The best bit about the competition was having the chance to meet and compete against other technicians in the industry.”

SAC Winters was nominated by her squadron leaders, who were impressed by the skills she showed during operations.

The competition was only open to those under 24 years of age who have achieved or are working towards an Aircraft Level 3 Apprenticeship.

SAC Winters will now represent the UK in the World Skills Competition in 2011, which is held every two years in a different host nation.

RAF Benson spokes-man Nikki Hamilton paid tribute to SAC Winter’s “astounding performance”.

l The future of RAF Benson was secured in October when the Government agreed to pump millions of pounds into Puma and Merlin fleets to help strengthen military efforts in Afghanistan.

There had been fears that the base would close, with the helicopters and squadrons relocated.