Ref. 30602-26 Rosemary QuickMORE British grandmothers are following the example of parachuting pensioner Rosemary Quick and refusing to let age become a barrier to fun.

Grandmother-of-four Rosemary, 66, plunged 10,000ft through the skies above Swindon for charity.

And the Highworth resident appears to embody the new spirit of adventure being embraced by grandmothers.

A survey by Your magazine has revealed the 21st century gran to be fiercely independent and adventurous.

Grans, according to the survey, are now more likely to be found surfing the internet than making jam, and prefer rollercoaster rides to knitting.

Most feel more than 20 years younger than their age, enjoy exercise and own a mobile phone.

Many also provide vital help to their offspring by looking after grandchildren.

Yours editor Valery McConnell said: "Grans don't let the grass grow under their feet. They look young, feel young, and act young, and live life to the full."

Rosemary agrees, advising pensioners to enjoy the so-called third age. "I feel about 50, and enjoy living life to the full," said Rosemary, who raised £500 for the National Children's Home by completing the jump in May.

"I have a computer and regularly e-mail my friends.

"I also use the internet a lot for looking up recipes and finding poems for the poetry group I run.

"I enjoy walking and spend a lot of time looking after my grandchildren. It's all about your attitude. Being independent and adventurous is the right frame of mind to have.

"The parachute jump was just out of this world. Now I want to do a bungee jump."

The survey found nearly 80 per cent of grannies have a mobile phone and half own a computer.

Just under half have recently been to a theme park.

And single grans firmly believe that age is no barrier to romance.

Their ideal date scenario would be a spin in an open-topped sports car with Sean Connery, followed by a candlelit dinner with Roger Moore.

Tamash Lal