Woman, 102, becomes Britain's oldest sky-diver

Credit: SWNS / UK Parachuting and Goldster

A 102-year-old woman has become the oldest skydiver in Britain after jumping out of a plane at 7,000ft (2,133m).

Daredevil Manette Baillie took part in a tandem skydive today (Sun) at Beccles Airfield in Suffolk in her first ever parachute jump to celebrate her birthday.

She said she was 'breathless' after the jump in aid of good causes such as the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Benhall Village Hall.

Manette, from Benhall, Suffolk, told BBC Radio 4: "It was a bit scary. I must admit I shut my eyes very firmly.

"I just want other people who are getting towards 80 and 90 not to give up anything. Just keep going.

"I've been so lucky to be fit and well that I've got to do something with it, that's really the back of it.

"I can't just waste it, other people are crippled with arthritis and I'm not."

Manette served in the Woman’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS) during WWII and has always had a thirst of adventure.

She celebrated her 100th birthday at Silverstone behind the wheel of a Ferrari speeding at over 130 miles an hour - and still drives her own car.

She said her secret to living a long and fulfilling life is "community, friends and being among people".