Pensioner calls house and wins jackpot

LUCKY Felixstowe grandmother Rose Bullock has 96,000 reasons for wearing a huge smile– after hitting the jackpot at the town's bingo hall.

Champagne corks popped as the 57-year-old was announced as the national winner – but teetotal Mrs Bullock was feeling bubbly enough without the drink.

"I was off on another planet – I just could not believe it," said Mrs Bullock. "I have had wins before, probably the most was £200, but this was just unbelievable. I am still in shock really."

She won the top prize of more than £96,000 while playing at the Palace Club in Crescent Road, Felixstowe.

Mrs Bullock reckoned she had made good interest – after spending more than £40,000 playing her favourite game over the past 30 years.

"I have never smiled so much in my life as I have in the last few days. It has always been a joke to my family when I said I would win the national one day. 'You are in cuckoo land', they said," she added.

"But I told them someone has to win it. Why shouldn't it be me? They were all gobsmacked when I did. My son worked out that I had probably spent £40,000 over the years."

She won the national bingo game prize of £95,000 plus a regional prize of £1,230 after completing a full house in 41 numbers, the lowest anywhere.

Mrs Bullock, who lives with her husband Brian, a retired gas engineer, and has four children and seven grandchildren, said the money would make a world of difference as living on a pension was not easy.

"People keep saying to me, you can have a cruise or buy a holiday villa in Spain – they have got it all spent for me," she said.

"But it still hasn't sunk in yet. I just think if I want something I can buy it now. I need a new kitchen and my husband is hinting at a new car. I have a big family and they all have little ideas."