A PENSIONER has celebrated her century by taking to the skies.

Great grandmother Maud Barlow was determined to mark her big day with a bang.

And she fulfilled a lifelong ambition at City Airport Manchester - in the Barton area of Eccles - when she had a helicopter ride.

The Little Lever Centenarian said: “I’ve always wanted to go in a helicopter and have never managed it.

“I am just fascinated by them.”

For the full story and more picture's of Maud's adventure, read Monday's edition of The Bolton News.