AN 'unlucky' policewoman from Burnley has won £1,000 on a special new series of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

The ITV quiz show, which is now hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, has returned to TV screens this week to celebrate the show's 20th anniversary.

Sarah Wilkinson, who is thought to live in Cliviger, was one of the latest contestants to take part in the new series on bank holiday and is thought to be the first to appear from East Lancashire on the new series.

Prior to the show the Burnley mother said the most she's ever won in her life was £1 on a Scratchcard and £5 in a local pub quiz.

Ms Wilkinson, who was supported in the audience by her mum, daughter and fiancée, secured a seat next to Jeremy Clarkson after she correctly named various British imperial units of weight in ascending order, starting with the lightest, in the quickest time.

Clarkson, who described Ms Wilkinson as a 'ballsy contestant', wished her luck at the start of the show and said: "Let's see if we can win you some money."

The first question, which was worth £100, was focused on the theme of 'crime' as the former Top Gear presenter asked her the question: "To apprehend someone in the act of committing a crime is to 'catch them..' what?"

The Game of Thrones fan correctly answered the question with 'red-handed' and answered the subsequent four questions to reach the £1,000 mark.

However the Burnley contestant struggled on successive questions.

She had to 'ask the audience' for the question 'in which historic city is Checkpoint Charlie located?' and a '50/50' on the question 'In 2012, Jean Dujardin won an Oscar for his role as a silent movie actor in what film?'.

After reaching the £8,000 mark, the local police officer became unstuck on the question '"In Rene Magritte's portrait 'The Son of Man', the subject wears what type of hat?"

The local police officer incorrectly said it was a 'beret' when the answer was actually a 'bowler' despite using a new lifeline, 'Ask the Host'.

When asked if he knew the answer, Clarkson dismissed the answer as being 'bowler' despite saying: "I don't know the answer. I am no use to you."

After losing £7,000, Ms Wilkinson blamed Clarkson and said he had 'talked him out of it'.

Clarkson, who acknowledged he was in part to blame, later apologised for 'costing' Ms Wilkinson the money.