CHRISTMAS has come early for one Narberth woman, after winning £10,000 in Pembrokeshire Lottery’s first ever Christmas Superdraw.

Amanda McCabe, from Narberth, was presented with the unexpected Christmas bonus at ‘lottery HQ’ in Milford Haven, last Thursday.

Amanda, who works as a lettings manager at FBM in Pembroke, said the news came as a total surprise.

“I’ve never won anything before,” she said. “I just didn’t believe it at first, I thought it was a prank or something. I was very careful not to swear, just in case though!

After receiving the call, from Radio Pembrokeshire presenter James Southon, Amanda shared the news first with her colleagues, and then her family.

“Everyone in the office was bouncing around, we were beside ourselves,” she said.

Amanda has been playing the lottery for two years, through a salary deduction scheme.

“The money comes out every month, so I had forgotten all about it,” she said. “But since I’ve won several of my colleagues have signed up!”

With her Christmas shopping already done, Amanda will be using the cash to buy a new car and pay off her bills.

But says she will also now be able to afford an extra present or two for her four-year-old granddaughter.

“It’s really unbelievable. I think we’ll have a nice little Christmas now. I’ll be able to buy a proper bottle of Baileys, not just the cheap stuff!”

Presenting the cheque, Pembrokeshire Lottery manager Abigail Owens said: “Handing over the cash is the best part of the job.”

“Amanda’s an ordinary person, and it’s come at a great time for her. The fact she forgot she even plays is fabulous.”

Abigail said she was also very grateful to FBM and other local firms who take part in the salary deduction scheme.

“They don’t get anything out of it, it’s just a chance to help Pembrokeshire Lottery, so we can then help others,” she said.

Pembrokeshire Lottery helps local businesses to create local jobs. It is a not for profit organisation and all lottery proceeds stay in the county.

In the last 20 years £4,707,362.00 has been loaned, interest free, to 320 Pembrokeshire businesses, creating 1,679 jobs.