THE HERO pilot whose quick thinking actions saved passengers in the Las Vegas runway fire has returned to the UK safe and sound.

Chris Henkey, from Padworth, the pilot who was at the controls of the Boeing 777 and was taxiing for take off to Gatwick when the fire broke out last week, returned to the UK yesterday.

Upon his return, the 63-year-old spent several hours catching up with friends at his favourite pub, the Hatch Gate Inn, in Burghfield.

Previously Mr Henkey was the landlord of the public house, before he handed it over to current landlord, Buddy Rahman, five years ago.

Mr Rahman, 33, said: "I know him very well, he is a very good friend. He came in at 5.00pm yesterday and didn't leave until 8.00pm.

"He has become a celebrity, but he is a normal person and he comes in here to meet his friends. He knows everyone here because he used to be the landlord.

"He always comes in three or four times a week just to see people. He has all his community meetings here."

Last week Mr Henkey's daughter, Charley, revealed that the Las Vegas flight was to be one of her father's lasts, as he was planning to retire after 42 years as a pilot.

Mr Henkey will be having a retirement party in the next two weeks