A CHURCH volunteer is planning to treat herself after winning £1,000 in The Northern Echo’s monthly cash giveaway.

Iris Newton, from Darlington, is a regular participant in competitions run by the newspaper.

Her persistence has finally paid off and she plans to use the money for a nice meal and some new furniture.

Miss Newton, 75, has won competitions before, ‘but never to this scale.’

She said winning £1,000 in the monthly cash giveaway was ‘very suprising’, and although it was a ‘very pleasant shock’, Miss Newton said her good luck hasn’t sunk in just yet.

She said she has only told one person about her good fortune so far and added: “Until I get handed the cheque I won’t believe it, or tell my family and friends.”

Miss Newton, who volunteers at Bondgate Methodist Church, plans to spend the money on a few home improvements and a fully-paid for night out.

She added: “I will keep on entering the competitions, but only if the prize is worthwhile.

“I might carry on winning with this good fortune.”