When Grace Clarke celebrated her 80th birthday her family organised the surprise present of her dreams.
Grace's long-term ambition has been to take to the skies in a helicopter - a wish that finally came true thanks to her devoted family and Direct Helicopters in Southend.
Grace, of Fieldway, Stifford Clays, has been interested in aviation since she worked as a waitress to Lancaster bomber pilots in the Second World War, keeping them well fed at least as they went about their dangerous business.
Her daughter, Terry Holmes said: "There are two things she has always wanted to do - fly in a Lancaster and go up in a helicopter.
"We managed to arrange for her to sit in one of the bombers two years ago, so we thought the helicopter trip would be perfect for her 80th birthday."
Grace, who thought she was off to Southend Pier was stunned, but "absolutely delighted by the surprise.
Thumbs up - from happy aviator Grace as she prepares for take-off at Southend airport for her first helicopter trip
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