A MOTHER on Portland had a big surprise when she returned home to find her whole house had been given a designer makeover.

Karen Gear, 43, of Headland Close, was the surprise star of the ITV Television show 60 Minute Makeover that gives someone's house a complete refurbishment.

The treat, worth thousands of pounds, was organised by her younger sister Joanne Rodd, 40, of Sweethill Road, and her mother Ann Robson who applied for the show to makeover Karen's house eight months ago.

Joanne said: "We wanted to do this for her because she has had a really hard time the last few years and as a single mum she didn't have much time for DIY so we thought this would be great to get her back on her feet."

"She was so surprised when she walked in that she burst into tears and then we all did, and the place looked amazing."

Karen lost her husband six years ago after a brain haemorrhage and she was left to cope with three teenage children.

She now lives with her new partner Bob Carlisle, with whom she has an 18-month-old baby girl called Felicity as well as Sam, 18, Zak, 13, and Callam, 12.

Designer Kathryn Rayward took over the house yesterday with dozens of workmen who piled in and frantically worked on the kitchen, dining room, lounge and children's bedrooms so they would be finished in time to surprise Karen that evening.

Joanne said: "It has been so hard to keep it a surprise because the designers had to come in to measure up over the last few months and of course Bob had to take Karen away on the day." Amy Williams, owner of Sweet Williams in Maiden Street, Weymouth, supplied the fresh flowers to finish off each room.

She said: "They rang and ordered five different bouquets in various colour schemes and said they had to be done in five minutes so we worked our socks off to get them ready in time."

Karen arrived at her house from a trip to Portsmouth and was overjoyed to be met by presenter Terri Dwyer who showed her round her re-styled home.

The programme will be aired on ITV in early December.