MALVERN pensioner Joan Newell has just passed her Advanced Driving Test . . . at the age of 82.

Miss Newell loves being behind the wheel and has driven vehicles of every kind since passing her driving test more than 60 years ago.

"I've been thinking about taking my advanced test for years but never got round to it until now," she said.

Miss Newell, of Grange Farm, Guarlford, took the test in her VW Passat estate. She said it was hard work concentrating for one and a half hours, but she had enjoyed it.

She has always enjoyed driving and loved working as a convoy driver while in the ATS during the war, when she gained both her HGV and PSV licence.

Miss Newell drove everything from staff cars and armoured personnel carriers to trucks, tanks and bren gun carriers, delivering the vehicles to docks and railway stations.

Working in farming after the war, she moved on to tractors and Land Rovers and later worked as a driver with the Aviation Ministry at the former RRE in Malvern.

"I drove staff from RRE all over the country for eight years," she said.

Two years ago, Miss Newell was treated to a drive in an articulated lorry by her niece which she really enjoyed, particularly as she does not get to drive vehicles that big any more.

She has also taken part in the Marie Curie Cancer Care Ladies Driving Challenge.

"I drove a bus and had a go on a skid pan. You could try driving all sorts," she said, adding she could not imagine not driving and hopes to hang on to the independence it gives her for as long as possible.