A THRILL-seeking pensioner who was out shopping was hoisted 100ft into the air on a firefighter’s aerial platform in Victoria Square.

Sheila Shorrock was visiting Bolton when her gaze was caught by the crane, which was there to promote the police and fire service's seasonal crime crackdown, Operation Treacle.

The 78-year-old, from Oswaldtwistle, near Accrington, said she “knew she was in good hands”.

Fire officers on the square said they had never known of anyone older than Mrs Shorrock use the aerial platform on the crane — typically used to trained officers to fight fires with jets of water from above.

Mrs Shorrock, who was accompanied on the platform by a fire officer, said: “It was absolutely great. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.

“I’m told that I may have set a record for the oldest person going up in one which is brilliant.”

The pensioner, clearly blessed with a good head for heights, said she had a great view of the Bolton skyline from the cab.

She added: “It was a bit misty, but you could see the whole area.

“I said to them, ‘if I’m a good girl with my fireworks can I have a ride up there?’.”

The police and fire service were in the square to raise awareness of the dangers posed by fireworks and bonfires ahead of November 5, and by going trick-or-treating on Halloween.

During Operation Treacle, police will be stepping up patrols in a bid to tackle increased anti-social behaviour on the traditional busy nights of October 31, November 1 and November 5.

Face-painting was also on offer in the square for children with a ‘scary’ Halloween theme.

Police mascot Pippa Panda was also on hand, and was also given a special ride in the fire service crane.