Ninety-year-old gran's flight over village delayed
SuppliedA 90-year-old grandma has refused to keep her feet on the ground as part of her birthday celebrations.
Joan Airey, from Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, was due to be flown over her village in a helicopter later, but it has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
The nonagenarian had insisted on having the daring helicopter experience despite her family's initial reservations.
She said: "My son asked if I was sure, I said yes I'm definitely sure I've never been on a helicopter, I've always wanted to fly over my house."
The grandma-of-two said her family tried to talk her out of the feat but then during a birthday meal, they surprised her with the flight tickets.
"I was really excited about it - it's amazing - I was thrilled," she said.
She said she was "very disappointed" the flight had been postponed until 5 July but would "start looking forward to it again".
She will fly from Teesside Airport, taking in the Cleveland Hills and along the coast as well as over her village.
"I've never done anything like that before. I've been up a mountain in a cable car about twelve years ago in Austria," she said.
"I'm hoping the weather will be fine in July."
