Nora celebrates 103rd birthday with loop-the-loop

Friends, family and carers were at The Gliding Centre to offer support

Nora Gilliver has become known at her care home for celebrating her birthdays in unique ways.

And that did not change when she turned 103, as the centenarian took in the sights of Leicestershire in the cockpit of a glider.

During the flight from the Gliding Centre, near Market Bosworth, the pilot who accompanied Mrs Gilliver on the flight even treated her to a spot of aerobatics, including a loop-the-loop.

"I didn't feel sick at all when it went upside down," she said.

Nora Gilliver from Leicestershire took the controls of a glider to celebrate her 103rd birthday

Mrs Gilliver was joined by friends and carers at Husbands Bosworth Airfield, home of the Gliding Centre, for the flight on Thursday.

She was taken up in the aircraft by Rob Barsby, a display pilot with events firm Aerosparx.

After the flight over the Leicestershire countryside, she said: "It was lovely, looking out I saw Bradgate Park, the airfield and lots of fields with animals in.

"I was flying it but being helped by Rob."

Mr Barsby said: "She's the oldest student I've taught in my career.

"She flew the aeroplane, we did some exciting manoeuvres including the loop-the-loop."

"We believe Nora is the oldest person in the UK to ever fly in a glider."

Mr Barsby said he had flown with all ages, from seven to 103, and had always given the person a chance to fly the glider.

"The great thing is there's no barrier to gliding, and that includes age," he added.

"We've had a run of people who want to achieve things in later life lately."

Mrs Gilliver, who turned 103 on 24 June, is no stranger to extreme birthday celebrations, according to staff at her care home.

Marie Welsh, manager of The Lawns Care Home in Oadby, said she chose to go for a ride in a sports car for her 100th birthday.

She had wanted to parachute for her 103rd - but that wasn't possible.

Although she didn't feel sick after the loop-the-loop, Mrs Gilliver said: "I'd wait a bit longer before doing it again".