Care home resident fulfils fighter jet dream

Arthur Scrivens sat in the cockpit of a 1955 Hunter F4 jet

An 86-year-old man who had a dream of sitting in a fighter jet has been able to do it thanks to staff at his care home.

Arthur Scrivens, from Broadway Halls Care Home in Dudley, got into the cockpit of a 1955 Hunter F4 jet at the RAF Museum Midlands in Shropshire.

He has had a keen interest in aircraft, particularly military ones, and his father was in the RAF, the care home said.

Following the day at Cosford, Mr Scrivens said: "It was such a tight squeeze to get in and out of the cockpit, but it was a great experience to learn the controls of the jet."

The care home said it tried to make a resident's wish come true once a month.

When activities coordinator Scott Bates found out about Mr Scrivens' dream, he said he was determined to make it happen.

Mr Scrivens has had an interest in aircraft since childhood

"[Arthur] said he used to go with his dad to look at the planes, the military planes, when he was in the RAF," Mr Bates said.

"We struggled because we had to get up two sets of steps and then back down the other end.

"It was so tight, but [he]... managed to do it."

Mr Scrivens was pictured trying on uniforms with care home activities coordinator Scott Bates

The home is also planning a dog show thanks to another resident, whose puppy visits her every day.

Last month, a dozen people went on a narrowboat, as one woman had never been on a boat.

Mr Bates said: "A lady said she absolutely loves firemen... She wanted to see how the thing works at a fire station.

"So we contacted Wolverhampton fire station and they invited us for lunch."

General manager at the home Danica Chugh said it was a testament "to the hard work and dedication of the team" to see residents’ dreams come true.