An 86-year-old war veteran has said tanks for the memories to soldiers who let her relive her army past.

Former Auxiliary Territorial Service corporal Belle Beaty turned tank commander - 60 years after she drove Shermans in the Second World War.

Pensioner Belle was invited to the military firing range in Otterburn, Northumberland, after a friend found out about her warrior past.

Octagenarian Belle, who specialised in driving Army vehicles, then piloted a heavily armed Striker armoured personnel carrier at 50mph across the Otterburn fell.

The retired doctor's receptionist, from Catlowdy, in Cumbria, said: "I was overwhelmed. I could have burst into tears.

"I've never had so much fuss made of me before. I was sitting in the commander's chair looking out of the top of the tank.

"It was absolutely smashing."

Belle was honoured with a Queen's Royal Lancers regimental skull and crossbones cap badge to commemorate her visit.

She said: "I was wearing the same uniform that I wore 60 years ago in the war and I'm going to pin the badge in my lapel.

"I felt very exited and very honoured."

Regimental officers decided it would be too physically demanding for Belle to drive the Striker, so instead she was given a hair-raising ride across the firing range.

Belle's friend Chester Forster, who organised the trip, said: "They were flying along at more than 50 mph - Belle seemed to enjoy it.

"The Army did her proud. It was a great day. They seemed quite impressed by Belle, too.

"The soldiers were explaining how to do drive the tank but she was telling them she already knew how, because she drove Shermans in the war.

"She certainly knows her stuff."

Belle explained how she learned of the trip at the VE day celebration on May 8.

She said: "It all started at the flower festival in the village. There were lots of items on display from the 1940's and I brought my Army corporal's uniform.

"The next time we all met up was at the VE Day celebrations.

"Chester brought me down and I wore my uniform. When we went into the hall he announced that I was the guest of honour and that I would be driving tanks again with the Royal Lancers.

"I didn't know what was going on. It was quite a shock."

Sergeant Major Kane Greenhill, of the QRL said: "We were aware of her army background and we were very pleased to have her.

"She was a very nice old lady."

After leaving the Army Belle, who never married, cared for relatives.

The striker is a troop carrier and high speed anti-tank reconnaisance vehicle.

Belle's friend Chester Forster, 57, of Penton, Carlisle, is a data input clerk for a parcel delivery firm.