British grandmother Peggy McAlpine celebrated her 100th birthday by becoming the world's oldest paraglider.

©GETTY
Thrill seeker: Peggy Alpine celebrated her 100th birthday by becoming the oldest woman to paraglide


Fortified by a breakfast of cornflakes, she floated gently back to earth after taking off from a 2,500ft peak in a craggy Cyprus mountain range with spectacular views over the Mediterranean.

"It was the most wonderful, pleasant experience and I'm ready to do it again anytime," said Peggy, who has four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Britain's latest centenarian said the excitement helps keep her young at heart.

"I was sitting in a chair floating above the mountains. I'm not scared at all.

"I love heights, I love climbing, I love getting up in the air. I hope to do this again when I am 105, but this might be my final goodbye to all my flying escapades," she said.

©GETTY
Up, up and away: Britain's latest centenarian - who has already bungee-jumped with members of the Royal Parachute Regiment - said the excitement helps keep her young at heart

Strapped into the front seat of a tandem paraglider with experienced pilot Ozgur Gokazan, 34, at the helm, Peggy deemed it "far superior" to her bungee jump.

"There is no way I could stop her," said her daughter, Elizabeth Forsyth, who is afraid of heights and watched her mother's daredevil antics from the safety of the landing spot near the Cyprus coast.

Peggy, who is partially sighted, broke the record held by a 95-year-old Dane.

The oldest Briton to paraglide before yesterday's flight was Reg Rose-Innes, 91, from Beddingham, who flew above the Devil's Dyke in Suxssex last December for 20 minutes at a height of 800ft.

Two volunteers monitored Peggy's 15-minute flight for the Guinness Book of Records.

©Unknown
Funloving McAlpine at 21-years-old.