'Witch' swaps broom for wing walk

A grandmother of seven who had never flown before took to the skies to wing walk at 500ft dressed as a witch.

Mattie Williams, 72, who wears a witch's robe for her job at Wookey Hole Caves, Somerset, reached speeds of 110mph as she soared over the Gloucestershire countryside.

Mattie, from Easton, Somerset, was bought the flight in the 1945 Boeing Stearman as a gift for her 50th golden wedding anniversary by bosses at Wookey Hole.

After the flight with the Utterly Butterley wing walking team, from Rendcomb Airfield, Cirencester, she said: "It was absolutely brilliant, it was so fast it feels like the wind has ironed out my wrinkles.

"I'm scared of heights and have never flown before and I usually think twice about going up a ladder, but that was just amazing.

"I've watched wing walking before and have always fancied having a go. I didn't feel a bit nervous and wouldn't mind doing it all again."

Mattie's husband, Bill, 78, a retired production engineer, said: "I'm glad the flight's over, it was a bit nerve-wracking. Next time we'll have a wing walk in tandem."

Pilot Martin Carrington, said: "I think Mattie was maybe one of our oldest flyers. It is quite unusual for someone of her age to do it."

Mattie has worked in the restaurant at Wookey Hole for 12 years but only started dressing up as a witch last year.

She added: "Dressing up as a witch is a bit of fun and the kids love it. I'm just sad I couldn't take my broomstick up in the plane with me."