A COUNCIL employee is preparing to swap the town hall for one of the world's most dangerous war zones.

Tom Calver works in Blackburn with Darwen Council's press office - and has spent the past 18 months training to become an RAF reserve officer in his spare time.

In doing so he has fulfilled a childhood dream - the 28-year-old wanted to become a pilot as a child but was not allowed on medical grounds as he had a collapsed lung.

Reserve officers are like the RAF's equivalent of the Territorial Army.

Tom, whose day job involves responsbility for social services, will serve in a 21-strong squadron, based in Buckinghamshire, which deals with public relations for the air force.

It means he could get called up to military hot spots, with Afghanistan the most likely destination, to look after crews of journalists from around the world.

He said: "I have to have more training then there's more than a distinct possibility I could end up in Afghanistan.

"You have to look after the media in these areas and make sure they're safe.

"It's an exciting opportunity. You have to be sensible. There are some risks but there's no point in worrying about them at the moment. I knew what I was signing up for."

Tom, of Duke's Brow, Blackburn, said he had always been interested in the RAF and was in the air cadets as a schoolboy.

He had to complete an intensive training course, the same as regular officers, including fitness and first aid work.

The training also saw him fly over the Falkland Islands with a film crew.

His role means he could get called up at any time after another year's training, but he said his council bosses had been understanding.

He said: "They give you a month's notice, but if they can get you sooner they will. My bosses have been very supportive, and I have been given extra leave.

"It is something I have always been interested in.

"The course was very challenging but it was certainly worth it. Being an air force officer is an immense privilege."