Shropshire great-grandmother Betty Stevens is not content with just picking up her pension but is following in the footsteps of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and has drawn up her own “Bucket List”.

In the film of the same name, the two Hollywood heavyweights compile a list of wacky and daredevil things they want to do before they “kick the bucket”. And the idea struck a chord with Mrs Stevens.

The 76-year-old, of Dale Acre Way, Hollinswood, Telford, said: “I have a wonderful family who are really supportive but I decided I wanted to do some things for myself.

“I started jotting down what I fancied doing, and the list just got longer and longer.”

Near the top was to fly a plane and Mrs Stevens managed to tick that off last weekend when her family rallied round to buy her a flight during which she briefly took the controls.

The sky ride was just Mrs Stevens’ latest adventure after she set about ticking off tasks on her list.

“I was really nervous about the trip because I’m actually terrified of heights,” she said.

“It was thrilling though, very exciting. I thanked the pilot afterwards for what I told him was my first ever experience of flying a plane – and my last.”

Mrs Stevens, whose husband Reg died five years ago, has just returned from Tunisia where she was able to strike two more wishes from her list – sailing on a catamaran and seeing dolphins in the sea.

“I also want to go on the Orient Express but I’m only a pensioner so I’ve got to start saving.”

Her ever-growing Bucket List currently includes: jumping into a pool fully clothed; going on a hot air balloon ride; going on a cruise; treading grapes; going on the Orient Express; travelling from Land’s End to John O’Groats; and seeing Il Divo in concert.

• Can you help Mrs Stevens fulfil any of her dreams, or maybe you have your own Bucket List of things to do before you die? Either way the Shropshire Star would like to hear from you. Please call (01952) 242424 and ask for our newsdesk.

By Simon Hardy