Betting shop manager Sarah Wicks, who was close to giving up playing the National Lottery, has won £20,000 through its new raffle draw. Miss Wicks, 37, manages Backhouse Bet in St Marg-aret’s Street, Bradford on Avon, and played the revamped National Lottery game online on Saturday. Miss Wicks, who lives with partner Tim Suttle in Southville Road, was notified of her win by email on Sunday.

She said they were both shocked, calling it a “joint win”.

“We don’t know what we will spend it on. It is not a life-changing amount, but it is nice to have a cushion for the future.

“I have always played the lottery and have used my parents’ numbers ever since they passed away [five years ago].

“I was on the verge of giving up, like many people, because they have raised the price, but now I will continue to play because it has restored my faith in these hard times.” The National Lottery introduced the raffle system last week, when it also doubled the price of one lottery line from £1 to £2.

Unique numbers printed on lottery players’ tickets are entered for a raffle, with 50 prizes of £20,000 every draw.

Bradford on Avon born and bred, the former St Laurence School pupil said she has no plans to move away.

She added: “I have travelled a lot and always love coming back to Bradford on Avon. It is beautiful and I love going over the bridge every morning.

“People have been genuinely pleased, saying, ‘Nice things happen to nice people’. The customers will be really pleased too.”