Grandma, 90, 'thoroughly enjoys' village flight

A 90-year-old grandma says she "thoroughly enjoyed" a helicopter ride over her village after her family surprised her with tickets for her milestone birthday.

Joan Airey, from Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, insisted on the flight after seeing helicopters over her house all her life and wanting to see the countryside from a different angle.

She was sat at the front and saw Redcar coast and Roseberry Topping, saying: "I took quite a lot of photographs as well, it was just so, really, fun."

Her granddaughters Martha and Anna said she was "really difficult to buy for" and were hesitant at first, but said the nonagenarian really enjoyed it and was "quite emotional" after Sunday's ride.

The grandma-of-two's family tried to talk her out of the feat but then during a birthday meal, they surprised her with the flight tickets.

Airey said her son picked her up and took them to Teesside Airport for the flight, which had previously been delayed due to bad weather.

"I went over Roseberry Topping, we slowed down a little bit to let us see it.

"All I can say is it was amazing, absolutely, and I thoroughly enjoyed it."

Airey said she was not "thinking very much" on the flight as she was just taking it in.

"It was just over in no time," she said.

She thanked her family and the staff, saying: "I think it's the best present I've ever had. Birthday present anyway."

Airey said she had no more daring plans in the future.

"People have said, 'how about jumping from the helicopter or a balloon ride?'

"No, no, I don't want any of that," she said.

"I have nothing else planned. No, that will be fine."

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