A seriously ill young boy's greatest wish to soar through the skies in a war plane has been granted.

Thomas Baker, from Whitstable, is living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis – an extremely painful illness caused by an auto-immune disease.

Since his diagnosis last year, he has undergone several treatments at Kent and Canterbury Hospital and Great Ormond Street in London.

But despite this, the teenager remains happy and positive, and has continued to nurture his passion for aeroplanes.

The 13-year-old, who had dreamed of flying in a Second World War aircraft, shared his wish with Rays of Sunshine – a national charity that brightens the lives of seriously ill children aged three to 18 by granting wishes, hosting hospital activity days, and organising outings and large-scale events across the UK.

Now his dream has come true.

Thomas travelled to Headcorn Aerodrome with his parents and sister.

After checking in, he had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of an original Spitfire plane.

Later in the day, his grandparents joined the family for a picnic before Thomas and his dad Wesley were called for their flight in a De Havilland Devon aircraft. Accompanying the plane in the sky was a Spitfire and a Hurricane plane.

“It was the best day I’ve ever had in my life,” said Thomas, who hopes to one day become a pilot.

Dad Wesley thanked Rays of Sunshine and Aero Legends – which operates the planes – for giving his son a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“I have never seen him so happy as when he was flying next to these two incredible aircraft,” he said.

“To see him laugh and smile after so much treatment and pain was simply touching beyond words.”

Rays of Sunshine volunteer Sophie Washington helped to organise Thomas’ day out.

“Being able to make a wish come true for a seriously ill child truly is magical,” she said.

• For more information, visit www.raysofsunshine.org.uk