I like doing things that scare me, says 80-year-old

A woman has celebrated her 80th birthday by performing a wing-walk.

Jenny Thurgut, who lives in Newbury, Berkshire, was strapped to the wing of the Boeing Stearman biplane and flown at 80mph (128kmph) across the Gloucestershire countryside.

"I like doing things that scare me, because if you don't scare you get complacent and I don't want to be complacent," said Thurgut.

She has previously zip-wired across a Welsh quarry and abseiled down Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower.

Asked if the adrenaline filled challenges keep her young, she replied: "No, I'm as old as the hills. I just think it keeps me interested."

Thurgut was briefed for the flight by professional wing-walker Libby Dover-Smith, who told her what to expect.

"I always describe it as like an onslaught to the senses," she said.

"The wind is incredibly strong, it's noisy, it's fast. She's in a unique club of seriously brave people."

The eight-minute flight took place at RFC Rendcomb in Gloucestershire.

Afterwards, Thurgut described the experience as "weird" and "like being tossed around in a tumble dryer".

She added that she was not sure what her next challenge will be but her immediate priority was "a nice cup of tea".