A DAREDEVIL centenarian from Frampton-on-Severn became one of the oldest people in the UK to take to the skies in a glider.

100-year-old Jill Farquarson visited Aston Down Airfield on Saturday for her trip with the Cotswold Gliding Club.

She was welcomed as the special guest at the Junior National Championships and topped the day off with a 2000ft flight in an aerobatic Ka 21 glider.

The flight was nothing new for Jill however, as she used to be a pilot at Aston Down during the Second World War.

She was one of the 166 female pilots flying in the Air Transport Auxiliary and gained her pilot’s licence in June 1942.

Working as part of the war-effort she delivered all sorts of aircraft including Spitfires and Stirling bombers, from factories to the front line fighter and bomber stations.

Stroud News and Journal:

Addressing a captivated audience of young pilots, she gave them the advice: “If you follow the rules and do not do anything stupid you may survive as long as I have.”

Jill also presented the day prizes for the previous day’s flying task and was given a standing ovation after her speech.

The inspirational centenarian now lives at Wisma Mulia residential home and celebrated her milestone birthday surrounded by family and friends from across the world in May.

To read more about Jill's story, click here.