A NEWLY-qualified RAF pilot suffered serious burns when a party prank went horrifically wrong, it emerged last night.

He was left in pain after a fellow reveller set light to his outfit at the fancy dress party at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, in North Yorkshire.

The 26-year-old suffered 14 per cent burns and received treatment at the scene, before being tasken to hospital.

Last night, he was reported to be making a swift recovery and is expected to rejoin colleagues at the base early next year.

The incident happened on November 23 following a pilot graduation ceremony at the training base.

Following the official Wings ceremony, graduates and their families were invited to a fancy dress party in the officers' mess.

The pilot suffered his injuries when a guest - not a member of the RAF - is reported to have set his costume alight with a cigarette lighter.

Police were called to the scene and a 23-year-old man was arrested. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Linton has been training pilots for 50 years and formal graduation ceremonies are held several times a year.

"These are family gatherings and a time of great pride and honour," said a spokesman at the base.

"You will therefore imagine our considerable shock at the incident in question - the like of which has never occurred here before."

He said steps had since been taken to ensure such an incident would not happen again.

He said: "RAF pilots are well disciplined. In this job, they have to be. Social events are restricted to a handful each year and all are held at weekends.

"The RAF has a strict no-drinking policy during the working day and requires pilots to be at maximum readiness by 6am ahead of an intense 12-hour day."

He added: "The incident is deeply regrettable to us. We are sorry that the alleged action of a non-RAF guest spoiled an important, family-orientated function."