AGE proved no boundary for grandmother Joan Pilkington when it came to fulfilling her lifelong ambition to skydive - by jumping 12,000ft from an aeroplane.

Mrs Pilkington, aged 68, from Manchester Road, Over Hulton, took part in a tandem skydive for charity, making her lifelong dream a reality.

After spotting an advert in a charity magazine asking for volunteers to take part in a parachute jump, Mrs Pilkington decided to take the plunge and apply.

The widow, who has two children and three grandchildren, has had a sense of adventure since she was young.

And her quest for new challenges took her to Flookburgh, Cumbria, to take part in the event.

Dressed in a jumpsuit, goggles and other safety clothing, the Earlestown market stallholder took to the skies with her instructor, watched by her family and friends. Speaking after the jump, she said: "I'm still on cloud nine. It was the most wonderful, exciting and exhilarating thing that I have ever done."

Mrs Pilkington, who has a slight limp because of a blood clot she suffered 20 years ago, said: "When we jumped out of the plane, there was not a cloud in the sky. I could see Windermere, Morecambe Bay and all the fields, which looked like a patchwork quilt. The feeling was just thrilling."

Mrs Pilkington said her apprehensions before the jump were put to rest on boarding the aircraft, when she was attached to the front of an instructor.

She said: "I did have questions beforehand but the instructor assured me that he was fully equipped for a safe dive."

On landing, Mrs Pilkington and her instructor slid across the grass into a heap with the parachute landing on them.

Her daughter, Carolyne Bevis, aged 43, of Over Hulton, said: "The skydive is something my mother has always wanted to do. She has done herself proud.

"She didn't seem worried one bit and she took everything in her stride. As you can see from the photograph when she jumped out of the plane, she is a very brave lady."

Mrs Pilkington raised £450 for the Motability charity, which provides transport help for disabled people.

And although the skydive is over, Mrs Pilkington can relive the day by watching a DVD which captured the drop.