AN overjoyed Suffolk mum has finally received her birthday present today - 19 months late.

AN overjoyed Suffolk mum has finally received her birthday present today - 19 months late.

Marion Roberts was thrilled when her daughter, Helen, gave her a voucher for a hot air balloon flight for her 50th birthday at the beginning of 2006.

But after nine cancellations because of bad weather Mrs Roberts, of Great Harlings, Shotley Gate, started to think she would never take to the sky.

So she was overjoyed when the balloon actually took off from Stowmarket and sped across the Suffolk countryside earlier this month.

Mrs Roberts, who has now turned 51, said the flight had lived up to all expectations - despite the delays.

She continued: “It was out of this world and definitely worth the wait!

“I had suffered from vertigo before but I don't think it will be as bad after that experience because I loved being in the sky so much.

“I was nervous when we took off but as soon as we got up it just disappeared.

“People were shouting up at us and we were waving back, but it was also so quiet up there - it was unbelievable.”

In fact Mrs Roberts said she loved the experience so much she would be keen to go again soon.

But she said she hoped next time she would not have to wait quite so long for the experience.

Have you had to wait longer than Mrs Roberts for a birthday present? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.