A NURSE who went on a Mediterranean and Caribbean cruise to study was astonished to win a new car in a free prize draw.

Wendy Saporita, who runs the Whalley House home for the elderly, Accrington, said she had not taken any interest in the competition until she won it.

All the holidaymakers could win tickets for the draw by taking part in activities on the 18-day Thomsons cruise and some had gained hundreds of tickets.

But Wendy, whose husband died of cancer 18 months ago, had just wanted to rest and study for her degree in alternative therapies and had only seven tickets.

She said: "I couldn't believe it when I won. I had to stand up to say thank you and my knees were like jelly, I was shaking."