A LUCKY Merlin’s Bridge man has won the opportunity to take his driving test for free, along with all his lessons, thanks to a campaign by a local driving school.

David Hannaford, 32, of Heol Derwen, was over the moon when he won 40 free lessons with Fast Track School of Driving, as well as the opportunity to take his theory test and driving test for free.

Simon Mottram who runs the driving school received 105 nominations for people who should receive the free lessons when he launched the competition in December last year.

David’s name came up in the nominations time and time again, with around 20 people coming forward to present a case for him.

“David has really turned his life around. He is looking after his four daughters, and something like this is going to massively help him,” said Simon.

The driving instructor announced the winner of the Drive a Dream competition via Facebook Live on Christmas Eve.

David was surprised by the news he was the winner of the £1,200 Christmas present, and was in the other room wondering why his daughters were cheering as they watched the Facebook Live video before finding out himself.

“I think it is amazing really,” said David. “I was over the moon when I found out.”

David has also had to take on the responsibility of caring for his mother, Belinda Hannaford, who was diagnosed with Follicular lymphoma last year, and has been in and out of hospital ever since.

“When she is in hospital he has to go up there three or four times a day. That is a taxi up and a taxi back. It could be eight trips in a taxi a day, and we do his mam’s shopping,” said David’s partner Stephanie Watson, adding that a car would make their lives so much easier.

David has just had his first lesson and is already planning on taking his primary school aged daughters Scarlet, Sophia, Skye, and Sienna on day trips to the beach.