Life begins at 40, if you believe the old saying - but one Bradford pensioner has proved it can also start again at 70.

At an age when many people begin taking things a bit easier, Winnie Potts has tackled exams, learned to swim, taken up walking and started making music.

What makes the 76-year-old's achievements all the more remarkable is that she is both blind and hard of hearing.

Winnie's achievements won her an audience with Princess Anne and she is hoping to prove an inspiration to others.

Winnie, who has a son and three grandchildren, has been partially sighted all her life. She went totally blind eight years ago and has been hard of hearing since she was 70.

She said: "I didn't want to just sit at home doing nothing all day so decided to do some of the things I'd never got a chance to do before.''

Her achievements include passing GCSEs in maths and English - her first academic qualifications - at Bradford College after going back to school in her 70s. She has learned to read and write in Braille and is discovering how to use a computer.

Winnie also beat a long-held fear when she learned to swim.

She said: "I was taking my grandchildren out and they always wanted to be near water. I was frightened of water and realised I'd be helpless if they fell in, so I decided to learn to swim.''

Her other new talents now extend to music. She has just taught herself to play the keyboard and hopes to entertain residents at the Shipley sheltered housing complex where she lives.

Winnie is a keen walker and has completed hikes of up to ten miles. She said: "I'm very proud of myself because these are all things I wanted to achieve and they have given me a much fuller life. Hopefully what I have done might inspire others to have a go.''

Winnie and Alec Porter, manager of Bradford Council Social Services' sensory needs services and Morley Street Resource Centre, attended the Change for the Better conference run by Sense, a volunteer group which works with deaf and blind people. There she met Sense patron, Princess Anne.

Winnie said: "She asked about my interests and when I told her she said, 'I won't ask you why - it'll take all day'! It was a real privilege to meet her and something I'll never forget.''

Arthur Dinning, secretary of the social club at Winnie's sheltered housing complex, said: "Some people in her position never go out or do anything but she has been determined that her disabilities won't get in the way. She's a marvellous lady and a real inspiration.''