THE pilot who painted two giant smiley faces in the Oxfordshire sky has admitted it was the first time he tried such a feat.

Neil Parkinson, 47, said: “I knew some friends were in the Blenheim grounds and I thought ‘why not’.

“It was the first time I’ve tried to draw something and I’m quite pleased with how it went.

“You can’t really see what you’re doing, you are painting blind in a way.

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“I’m amazed at how bonkers it’s gone, it’s good to give something back and put a smile on people’s faces.”

Mr Parkinson built the plane, a Pitts Special, himself in his garage eight years ago, and it produces environmentally friendly smoke.

He flew 8,000 feet into the air and first drew the circle, before adding the eyes and smile.

Mr Parkinson flies private jets for a living, and has been flying all his life, so much so he got his flying license before his driving licence.

The faces were seen on Saturday at around 4.30pm above Woodstock and Kidlington.