PLUCKY blind pensioner Blodwen Phillips pushed out the boat in grand style for her 75th birthday on Saturday when she piloted the Irish ferry HS Stena Explorer on its return journey to England.

As revealed exclusively in our sister paper the Northwich Mail last week ferry company Stena Line and the charity Guide Dogs For The Blind put their heads together to organise the latest escapade to mark both Blodwen's birthday and the 75th anniversary of the charity.

The challenge was the latest in a series of daredevil antics Blodwen has completed for the guide dogs charity, driven by a determination to live life to the full despite her disability, and to help other people who are visually impaired.

But taking the controls of a ferry on the high seas was something she never dreamed would happen.

'I was really nervous at first but when they handed me the controls it turned out to be so easy, because everything is auto-mated,' she said.

'The first engineer put my hand on the controls and said you are now sailing the boat. It was a fantastic feeling, and I felt very privileged indeed.

'It was a smashing day and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I cannot thank everyone enough for all they did for us'

Blodwen who lives in Winnington, was accompanied by her guide dog Ufton, her husband Jim and friends Dawn and Neville Snowdon from Cuddington.

They boarded the boat at Holyhead and received VIP treatment all the way including free meals and drinks and a huge birthday cake, which was presented to her on the bridge.

In recent years daredevil Blodwen has fearlessly flown a plane, driven a steam train and ridden a Harley Davidson motor cycle.

She said: 'I couldn't be without my guide dog Ufton, he opens up the world for me, and I do these challenges to say thank you and to help someone one else.'