DAREDEVIL grandmother Joan Pilkington has proved that age holds no boundaries after she fulfilled her lifelong ambition of jumping 12,000ft from an aeroplane.

The 68-year-old, from Bolton, who has ran a market stall in Earlestown for 35 years, took part in a tandem skydive for charity, on February 10.

After spotting an advert in a charity magazine asking for volunteers to take part in a parachute jump, the second-hand book stall owner decided to take the plunge and apply.

The thrill-seeking widow, who has two children and three grandchildren, set up her market stall after her husband, Alan, who was a Trading Standards officer in the area, told her about the popular market town.

She said: "After losing my husband a few years ago I wanted to get out and live life because it's so precious.

"I have always had a sense of adventure and I love doing exciting things like travelling and meeting new people. I just love life. "

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

Dressed in a jump-suit, goggles and other safety clothing, the grandmother took to the skies with her instructor.

Speaking after the jump, she said: "It was lovely - you just go up an do it.

"The feeling going down was just something you can't tell anybody. You are just in a world of your own floating in space. It is just so exhilarating it's wonderful."

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."

Positive about all aspects of life, she said: "The happiest days of my life have been spent at the market. All my best friends are from there, they treat me like family."

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