A SHREWTON grandmother has fulfilled her dream of doing a skydive.

To celebrate her 80th birthday, Mary Whitton took to the skies for her very first tandem skydive at Netheravon Airfield last Wednesday.

"It was a wonderful experience; I loved it," said Mary. "If anybody wants to have a thrill that's it."

The grandmother of five says she has always wanted to do a skydive for a number of years and thought she would finally do it after the death of her husband, who was not so keen on the idea of her jumping out of an aeroplane.

She added: "I feel at my age you don't know how many year's you've got left so you have to pack in as much as you can."

Previously, Mary's family had treated her to a balloon ride but she says this was not quite the thrilling experience she had in mind.

The birthday skydive was also in aid of Cancer Research UK — a charity close to Mary's heart as her daughter has been in remission from breast cancer for five years.

She says she wanted to give something back and thought a fundraising skydive was a good opportunity to do it.

Mary, who has been a Shrewton resident for more than 40 years, says during the parachute descent to the ground she was able to take in some of the "marvellous" views of the surrounding countryside.

Her family came along on the day to support her and were there to greet her when she landed.

Mary says the experience exceeded her expectations and that she enjoyed it so much that she would "do it again if given half a chance".

So far she has raised more than £450 for the charity.

She has thanked everyone for their support with her fundraising efforts and also the team at the Army Parachute Association for taking such good care of her on the day.

Anyone wishing to support Mary and make a donation can do so by going to her Just Giving page justgiving.com/fundraising/Mary-Whitton