I NOTED with admiration the story about Muriel Pierotti, who is embarking on a glider flight to mark each year she exceeds her 80th birthday and raise sponsorship into the bargain.

I hope she has many happy years of flying.

My father-in-law has been set a series of celebratory airborne excursions since his 80th birthday, including a glider flight, two trips in a hot air balloon, a spin in a bi-plane and, two weeks ago to mark his 89th birthday, he took a flight in a micro light.

And next year who knows? Wing walking, a parachute jump or a bungee jump.

Mrs B Fletcher,

Fifth Avenue,

Tang Hall, York.

Updated: 11:33 Tuesday, October 05, 2004