A pensioner swapped her hairnet for a helmet when she took a sponsored ride on a Harley Davidson motorbike.

Mary Silsbury, 84, who lives in Alexandra House, Marine Parade, Dovercourt, donned leathers for the special trip round Dovercourt yesterday.

She said: "It was a wonderful experience. I only wish I had done it before."

Mrs Silsbury said she thinks she could have been a biker-chick in her younger days if she had tried motorbiking then.

"It was so thrilling. It was exciting," she said.

Mrs Silsbury was riding on the back of Graham Crame's motorbike. Graham's mum Joan is also a resident at Alexandra House.

They went along the prom twice, then round the town, down Low Road, Hall Lane and Fronks Road.

So far she has raised £200 - and the money is still coming in.

The cash will go into the home's amenities fund, which is used to take residents on trips and for entertainment or activities.