A DREAM came true for care home resident Flossie Todd when she was treated to her first ever night at the ballet ... aged 86.

Elderly residents at Corner Lodge, in Jaywick, can hang their dreams on a special wishing tree.

Flossie's life-long ambition was to go to the ballet.

So when activities co-ordinator Debbie Collins discovered the Vienna Festival Ballet was staging Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty in Clacton she raced into action.

Debbie booked tickets for the show and they both headed down to the Princes Theatre.

Flossie was thrilled to see the colourful spectacle on the big stage.

She said: "'Out of all my memories from the past, this was my favourite – it was the best night of my life."

The care home has made dreams come true for other residents since launching the wishing tree.

Earlier this year staff treated RAF veteran Richard Chaplin, 92, to his first aeroplane flight at Clacton Airfield.

And Doris Woodward, 86, was over the moon when she got to ride in a luxury Rolls Royce.

Sadly Doris passed away last month.

Debbie added: "Flossie truly had a fabulous time and enjoyed every moment of it. I looked around and her face had lit up.

"We were talking about memories on the way home. I said she must have lots of memories and asked what her favourite memory was.

"When she said 'tonight', it brought tears to my eyes – she's loved it.

"It was wonderful to grant yet another wish for one of our residents.

"The pure look of joy on their faces is so wonderful and we hope to carry on making more wishes come true."