Harley thrill for blind great gran

The 77-year-old whizzed around a car park in the shadows of Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium on a shining motorbike, laughing and smiling like a teenager.

Hilda, who lives with her husband George and guide dog Jeannie in Grange Terrace, Rawtenstall, raised over £1,500 for Guide Dogs for the Blind with her daredevil antics.

Before her thrilling ride on the back of the bike, Hilda took a car for a spin to get her in the mood.

Hilda said: "I love cars and driving. I always have done. My father drove waggons for a living so it was bred into us."

Under the expert guidance of driving instructor Lisa Stevens, Hilda negotiated a series of manoeuvres that would have given Stirling Moss a headache.

The awareness of blind drivers impressed Lisa and the other driving instructors. Lisa said: "It is very rewarding and really amazing.

"They just seem to have a better sense of where they are going."

After stepping out of the car to be greeted by her relieved husband, Hilda only had one thing on her mind.

"That was lovely, but I could do with a pint or a cup of tea", she said.

Next Hilda made her way over to the Harley Davidsons. Watched by several members of her large family she climbed aboard a bike and was taken for a high speed spin with a member of the Harley Davidson Club of Great Britain.

Club spokesman Nick Iliadis said: "We've done events like this all over Britain. It is always surprising how aware blind people are when they are on the back of a motorbike.

"People with full vision struggle with balance, but for Hilda it was no problem."

Hilda's devoted husband George said: "We have always been a family that did daft things. If anybody asks her to to do something she says yes.

"Then I have to tell her to stop and think, but she worked really hard to collect the sponsorship money."

So with promises of more fearless fundraising it seems that Hilda was Born to Be Wild and her days of motorcycle madness may not be over.