CENTENARIAN Joan Mackay realised a lifetime ambition to have her head in the clouds when she took a trip in a helium balloon.

Staff at Colten Care’s Court Lodge home in Lymington arranged for the 103-year-old to soar 492ft into the air in the gondola of the Bournemouth Balloon.

Joan spent an enjoyable 15 minutes above the resort, viewing landmarks up to 20 miles away, in the company of Court Lodge activity organisers Julia Puia and Helen Bennett.

"I enjoyed it very, very much.” said Joan, who was accompanied by her niece and nephew, celebrates her 104th birthday next month.

Julia said their oldest resident loved the trip.

“Most of us were at best nervous, and in some cases petrified, at going up in the balloon but Joan was as calm as anything,” she said.

“She really loved it and said to us after the trip that she would never forget the experience.

“We’re just so pleased that we were able to arrange the balloon trip and that the weather on the day was so good.”