A daredevil Suffolk centenarian, who sped around Silverstone race track in a Ferrari, is heading for new heights by becoming the oldest parachutist.

Fearless Manette Baillie is set to undertake a tandem skydive from Beccles Airfield on August 25 to celebrate her 102nd birthday, a feat that will put her in the record books.

In July 2022, this newspaper reported how she completed four laps of the famous Northamptonshire Grand Prix circuit as part of a special present ahead of her 100th birthday, notching up a speed of 130mph.

READ MORE: Suffolk 99-year-old Manette's 130mph laps of Silverstone in a Ferrari

Explaining her decision to take on the skydiving challenge, she said: "You must always look for something new."

She was once married to a paratrooper and served in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRENS).

Manette completed four laps of Silverstone for her 100th birthdayManette completed four laps of Silverstone for her 100th birthday (Image: Submitted) While completing her feat, she will also be raising money to help renovate Benhall Village Hall, which was originally built for service personnel during the First World War.

Other organisations she is supporting include the Motor Neurone Disease Association and East Anglian Air Ambulance.

READ MORE: Beccles news

She said: "Community, friends and being among people is my secret to life.

"Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you. Oh and don’t forget to party."

She followed in the footsteps of Formula One star Lewis Hamilton by completing the Grand Prix circuitShe followed in the footsteps of Formula One star Lewis Hamilton by completing the Grand Prix circuit (Image: Submitted) London-born Manette attended Streatham Hill High School (now Streatham and Clapham High School) before joining the Land Army during the Second World War, then the Wrens.

She has been married twice - first to Derek Bowden, then to Adam Reid Baillie, with whom she had a son Anthony.

READ MORE: Suffolk news

She lived with Adam in Bath, where they ran a business selling hay, straw and animal feed before moving onto a farm in the Cotswolds and then to Bristol, where they ran a mail-order compost seeds business.

Finally, they moved to Benhall and lived at Lime Tree House, where Adam died aged 85.

She believes her long life is due to having a supportive family around her.

In 2022, she said: “All my family have always been supportive my whole life. Basically, you have just got to get on and do things.

"Keep moving and keep busy and you have got to love other people. I just naturally love other people and I love talking to other people.”