A woman who is afraid of heights took a 'terrifying' ride in a stunt plane in honour of her late husband. 

Angela Hainsworth, 62, celebrated her birthday with a succession of stomach-churning loop the loops and stall turns in the skies above Norfolk. 

This was not how the Caister resident normally enjoys her birthday.

When her late husband, Paul, was alive, they used to go abroad.

It was Mr Hainsworth who was the daredevil. On his birthday he would throw himself into extreme activities like bungee-jumping or skydiving.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Angela Hainsworth with her late husband Paul who was well known around Great Yarmouth. Angela Hainsworth with her late husband Paul who was well known around Great Yarmouth. (Image: Supplied)

But four years ago, Mr Hainsworth, who was well known around Great Yarmouth, died of motor neurone disease (MND). He was 51-years-old.

His wife said: "It was a bit of a shock. He was such a force, a very popular local boy."

Earlier this year, Ms Hainsworth decided to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

She hosted a charity event at her workplace, Branfords in Caister, where there was a raffle, DJs and live entertainment.

But the main focus of her fundraising was the ride in the stunt plane.

"It was terrifying. Most of my friends know I’m scared of heights. But I decided to face my fears and do it," she said.  

READ MORE: Coping with motor neurone disease

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The sky's the limit: Caister woman Angela Hainsworth has raised more than £5,000 for motor neurone disease research. The sky's the limit: Caister woman Angela Hainsworth has raised more than £5,000 for motor neurone disease research. (Image: Tony Walsh)

She was taken to the skies by local pilot Tony Walsh who runs aerobatic experience flights from Ludham Airfield. 

Ms Hainsworth originally set a target of £3,000 but she has already raised more than £5,000.

Mr Hainsworth, or Pauly as he was known to his friends, opened Great Yarmouth's first mobile phone shop, called Paul's Mobile Phone Accessories, in Market Gates.

He met his future wife in 1995 when he was fitting a satellite system in her house in Caister.

They moved to Hemsby and married in 2000 in Turkey, with almost 100 friends having travelled from Great Yarmouth.

Ms Hainsworth said: "He’s missed by everyone really so it was great honour to do something."