A LIFELONG fan of The Bolton News is £500 richer after she was named the lucky winner of a recent readers’ competition.

Maria Perepiczka, of Mossfield Court, was awarded her cheque after her name was pulled out of a box full of at least 1,000 entrants who had sent in their coupons.

The 62-year-old, who works as a cook at Hyde Lea Dementia Residential Home in Astley Bridge, said she was hoping to spend the money on a holiday.

Ms Perepiczka, a home delivery customer of The Bolton News, said: “I have never won anything before in my life so I was quite shocked. I thought it was a joke, I just couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve been a reader for years and years and years. My mum and dad used to get it and so I’ve always got it. I’m a home delivery customer.

“I am delighted and I love reading The Bolton News. I love having a cup of tea and reading the paper because I like to know what’s going on around me.”

Paul Berry, newspaper sales and distribution manager at The Bolton News, said: “From our perspective it’s great that somebody like Maria, a lifelong dedicated reader and a home delivery customer, has won this.”