Stereotypically most pensioners end their day with a milky drink and an early night, but one 71-year-old from Streetly asked West Midlands Police if she could spend a night in their cells.

And while most people would do anything they can to avoid time behind bars Gillian Parkes requested to spend the night at her local police station...to raise money for charity.

Usually this opportunity is only reserved for those under arrest but officers agreed to give the grandmother of three a bed for the night while the cell block was closed for essential maintenance work.

Gillian spent ten hours ‘at Her Majesty’s pleasure’ to raise funds for military patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, the receiving hospital for all wounded British troops.

And although the overnight stay was all for a good cause Gillian asked for a stay as realistic as possible − and this is exactly what she got as she had her mobile phone seized which she tried to sneak into the cell.

She said: "I thought I’d be a little mischievous and so I hid my mobile phone in my waistband so I could keep in touch with my family, but the sergeant rumbled me after spotting what I was doing on the cell’s CCTV."

After having her phone confiscated and a wardrobe change into cell-block issue clothing Gillian was able to get a little rest before waking to a breakfast of porridge and hot chocolate: "The porridge wasn’t the best I’ve ever tasted and the smell reminded me of the food my grandson feeds his pet guinea pig!"

Custody Sergeant Aaron Bell was keen to point out that during her stay Gillian wasn’t given any preferential treatment: "We are responsible for the health and safety of any detainee when they are with us, regardless of the reason for their detention.

"So Gillian was treated in the same way as any other person visiting the cells and wasn’t afforded any privileges or luxuries to ensure her stay with us was as realistic as possible.

"We showed Gillian all the procedures a person goes through following their arrival at the cell block including the details we record, the items and clothing we take from them before they are placed in a cell and the welfare and health checks that are carried out.

"I think it is the first time in my career I have dealt with someone so pleased and grateful to be locked up. It was a pleasure to support such a worthy charity and I trust that this is the last night Gillian will spend behind bars!"

This isn’t the first time Gill has spent the evening in strange surroundings. Two years ago she spent the night in the cellar at The Tyburn House pub in Erdington... a room which many members of staff believe is haunted.

Gillian added: "This it was a great experience and I’d like to thank everyone who made the experience possible. I’d ask everyone who hears about my story to donate what they can to such a worthy cause."

And Gillian has vowed that her fundraising is far from over and has ambitious plans to take on a military obstacle course for her next challenge.