READY, Teddy, go!

This jet-setting bear is so well travelled, you'll bear-ly believe where he's been.

Barnaby Bear, who lives with the children at Ridgeway CofE Primary School in Childrey near Wantage, has seen the pyramids of Eygpt, met the lead singer of Oasis – Liam Gallagher – and holidayed in Australia, Dubai and the United States.

But for his most recent escapade, the cuddly explorer got to fly high on a royal mission for Queen and country.

After being taken home by a pupil whose family had some military connections, Barnaby was invited to join the RAF flypast for the Queen of England on her 90th birthday celebrations at Buckingham Palace.

Ridgeway headteacher Ruth Nye said: "One of our parents told his friend he had taken Barnaby home for the weekend and this friend said 'he can join us if he likes'.

"My reaction was that we would be delighted for Barnaby to represent Ridgeway school as part of the Queen's birthday flypast."

Diminutive Barnaby was picked up by 24 squadron at Brize Norton, West Oxfordshire, on Saturday, June 11.

He was strapped into a C130J Hercules and jetted into the sky towards London.

At 1pm, as Her Majesty gazed skywards to watch the display, she might just have caught a glimpse of a furry little face peaking down at her from above.

Mrs Nye said: "Barnaby had a great day and the Hercules captain said he was a great crew member."

The brave bear has now been made an honorary member of 24 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton.

Barnaby was adopted by Ridgeway school 13 years ago so he could go on adventures with families at weekends and in the holidays and teach children about geography.

Since then he has been to Abu Dhabi, France and taken a cruise on the QE2 as well as touring the UK.

He has also joined football games, ballet classes and rugby training and been to Beavers.

For his next adventure in three weeks' time he will be jetting off to tropical Costa Rica.

Mrs Nye said: "He is a very well-loved bear. They really love taking him home – it is a real highlight of their lives."

She joked: "He is so well-travelled. I'm retiring in July and I think I should come back as Barnaby Bear."

The children in class one, the youngest set at the school, said they were very impressed with his latest adventure.

Six-year-old Rebecca Bales said: "We can go to lots of different places with him and learn all about them."

Jacob Hodgson, seven, added: "He is a very friendly and sweet teddy bear."