Grandma, 72, will test new rollercoasters at Alton Towers

A 72-year-old woman has said she is “honoured” to have been given the role of testing roller coaster rides at Alton Towers Resort.

Jackie Smith, who lives near Stonehenge in Wiltshire, will be known as the theme park’s first chief thrill seeker.

In 1971, when she was 19, Ms Smith became the first woman to join the Parachute Regiment, the Red Devils. She was the first woman to receive his prestigious red beret just two years later.

In her new role, which will last 12 months, the grandmother-of-four will be responsible for attending the theme park’s bi-annual Thrillseeker Summit and testing the rides.

“It’s an honor to be named Alton Towers’ first ever Chief Thrill Seeker,” she said.

“I look forward to bringing my experience from a lifetime of adventure to ensure they continue to set new standards.

“My first time on the iconic Nemesis Reborn certainly met my high standards for thrills – it felt like I was taking the first jump all over again.”

Ms Smith, who has made 5,000 parachute jumps, said she had to persuade her commanding officer in the Parachute Regiment to allow her to try the parachute, which was “off limits” to women at the time.

“At 19 I was stationed in Aldershot, which was the home of the Parachute Regiment,” she explained.

“I saw the boys training and something clicked in me. I pestered my commanding officer to let me go through basic training.

“At that time, the best men wouldn’t let women jump because they were worried they’d show their panties down.

“It was absolutely ridiculous. Eventually my persistence paid off and I was allowed to do basic training and I’ve never looked back.”

Ms Smith also participated in base jumping off El Capitan in America’s Yosemite National Park and opened the 1986 Commonwealth Games while four months pregnant.

Bianca Sammut, divisional director at Alton Towers Resort, in Staffordshire, said she was “delighted” to welcome “a true trailblazer” to the theme park.

“We are so excited to welcome the inspirational Jackie to our team. Her experience of seven decades of thrills will surely elevate our attractions at Alton Towers,” she said.

“A true female trailblazer, Jackie shows you’re never too old for thrills.”