CHRISTMAS has come early for a mother-of-two who scooped £500 in a Bolton News’ competition.

Christine Gordon, aged 57, of Calvert Road, Great Lever, could not believe her luck when she was told she was one of the first few winners of our contest.

She entered after “having a feeling” her luck was in. It is the second time she has won a competition in The Bolton News.

Mrs Gordon, a catering supervisor at Royal Mail, said: “I was surprised when I found out I had won. My husband, Ben, said I wouldn’t have a chance of winning but I had a funny feeling I might be in for a chance.

“I did win toys in a competition a long time ago when I was pregnant with my first child, Andrew, who is 35 years old now.”

She said she is unsure what she will spend the winnings on but added she would probably use some towards the cost of tickets to see her favourite singer, Rod Stewart.

She said: “With the money I will probably buy my husband a nice bottle of whisky and other presents.”

To enter the competition a bingo card is inserted into the paper each Saturday. Numbers to strike off are published in each edition of The Bolton News throughout the week, with a top prize of £500 up for grabs.

Readers should post their full cards to Bingo Competition, St Helens Star, 23A Hardshaw Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1RT.