AFTER 45 years of entering carnival competitions a Weymouth grandmother has finally claimed her prize.

Yvonne Mead, of Overlands Roads, Wyke Regis, will soon be driving her brand new Suzuki Celerio off the forecourt at Lanehouse Rocks garage after being announced the winner of Weymouth Carnival’s grand draw.

Mrs Mead brought two tickets for the draw – one for herself and one for her daughter- but said she never expected to win the £7,500 car.

She said: “I’ve been going to the carnival since 1972 and I’ve brought lots and lots of tickets over the years but never won anything.

“I keep on doing it every year and never win, but, as my daughter says, you have to buy a ticket to be in with a chance.”

Mrs Mead and her family made of day of the carnival enjoying the Red Arrows and a fish and chip supper before watching the fireworks display, but left before finding out if she had won.

“You always buy a ticket for these things but you never know how it’s going to work out or think that it’s going to be you, so I was on my way home when they called me to say I’d won.

“It’s all very exciting, I’m very happy.

“I don’t think I’ll believe until I actually see the car though, until then we don’t really know what is happening.”

As a regular carnival goer Mrs Mead said this year’s event was a standout.

“It was a wonderful carnival this year and the weather just finished it off. I think over the years it became a bit commercialised, but this year it seems to have gone back to its traditional ways raising money to help the town which is nice.”

With the carnival committee still counting out the entries it is estimated that Mrs Mead beat around 12,000 entrants to the winning prize.

The second prize was a holiday at Weymouth Littlesea Haven and third prize a garden trampoline set from Howleys Toymaster.

Carnival chairman Ryan Hope said: “Next year we are hoping to sell 20,000 tickets which will mean we raise another £8,000 for charity.

“Buying a ticket has a dual aspect as the money goes towards improving Weymouth Carnival year and year, and helping those charities which support us.”