But Peggy McAlpine could think of no better way to mark her 100th birthday. The Scottish great-grandmother, who has witnessed the reign of five monarchs and 26 prime ministers, yesterday flew her way into the record books by becoming the world's oldest paraglider.

Mrs McAlpine's 15-minute, tandem journey from the Five Finger mountain range in northern Cyprus provided spectacular views of the Mediterranean. "It was the most wonderful, pleasant experience and I'm ready to do it again anytime," she told The Scotsman.

The former accountant described her adventure - which came the day after she turned 100 - as "far superior" to bungee jumping, a pursuit she took up at the age of 80. But while her foray into extreme sport is unusual, experts say living to 100 is becoming increasingly common.

Dramatic improvements in health and medicine have seen the number of people aged over 100 increase 90-fold since 1911. In 2005, around 10,000 people reached the milestone in the UK. By 2051, this is expected to rise to 136,000.

Mrs McAlpine, who is from Stirling but moved to Cyprus three years ago, insists excitement helps to keep her young. Experts believe there may be some truth in that claim.

Dr Paul Knight, a consultant in medicine for the elderly at Glasgow Royal Infirmary,

said: "It's not chronological age that's important, but biological age. If you get to 100 years, you've looked after yourself in a lot of ways.

"If you exercise, eat a reasonable diet and interact with other people, you're going to reduce your risk of quite a number of disorders."

Dr Knight acknowledged that many people who live to 100 seem to have a "freedom of spirit". Studies have shown that about three-quarters of people aged in their late 90s live independently.

David Wootton, a spokesman for the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, said many pensioners are becoming hooked on the sport.

"They want something more exciting than golf," he said. " It's the closest you can get to flying like a bird."

Mrs McAlpine was serenaded by a piper playing Scotland the Brave as she made a "perfect" landing before celebrating with a champagne reception near the village of Karaman.

"I wasn't scared at all," she said. "I love heights, I love getting up in the air. I hope to do this again when I'm 105."

EXTREME SPORT TOOK OFF IN ALPS
THE first paragliders were French parachutists who were forced to improvise after being unable to afford the cost of flights. The extreme sport's pioneers started leaping from hillsides in the Alps in the late 1970s.

Equipment has become far more specialised over the past 30 years. Pilots sit in a harness suspended below an elliptical fabric wing known as a canopy. Powered by columns of rising air called thermals, they can reach speeds of up to 45mph.

David Wootton, a spokesman for the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, said: "It's a relatively safe sport - I've been flying for 20 years and the worst thing to happen to me is a bruised thumb."

From : Scotsman.com