Grandmothers Win Big

Two grandmothers who have each been playing bingo for more than thirty years had their loyalty to the game rewarded when they both won £45,000 playing the National Bingo Game at their respective clubs.

A 77 year old player from Alexandria in Scotland was playing at the Carlton Club in Bank Street when she made a full house and scooped her £45,000 prize. With two sons, two daughters and six grandchildren, the cheerful winner commented that her family "have got it all spent for me.... but they are very good to me so now I will be good to them!"

Although she used to play more regularly in her younger years, the winner currently plays at the Carlton Club twice a week. She said that she was "pleased to have got all my money back at last" and is planning to invest some of her fortune installing new railings around her garden.

Over in Stevenage, a 59 year old scooped £45,000 at the Mecca Club, and was so shocked by her win - which came from making a full house in 43 numbers - that she couldn't continue playing on her lucky night.

"I just started to cry when they told me," the winner said. "I was there on my own that evening and in total shock. I didn't know what I was doing. I never imagined this would ever happen to me."

With a husband, two daughters, one grandson and another grandchild on the way, the winner says that the money will give her family peace of mind. She has won small prizes previously, but nothing that comes close to her £45,000 windfall.

"I used to take my Mum and Dad to play bingo at the Chequers in Hatfield many moons ago," she explained. "I play once a week now, usually with my daughter. She won £1,500 once but my previous biggest win was £100, and I had to share that with two other people.

30th January 2008