A girl from Waltham Forest with a life-threatening illness had her wish come true when she took a helicopter flight over London on Saturday.

Eight-year-old Alice Carey of Cassiobury Road in Walthamstow made her special trip thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, a charity which grants wishes for seriously ill children.

Also on board for the journey were mum Laura, father Sean, sister Sinead, brother George and her aunt Sarah as Alice, who suffers from an immune deficiency, took in the spectacular sights of the city below.

Alice’s mother Laura said that her daughter, a pupil at Brookfield House School in Woodford Green, particularly enjoyed seeing Big Ben “because all children know that as a landmark”. The helicopter also flew over the O2 in Greenwich, where the family later enjoyed a celebratory meal at Pizza Express.

Laura added that Alice loved riding in the pink limousine which picked her and her family up on the day, as pink is her favourite colour.