WINNING a lottery has made life that little bit easier for two devoted grandparents.

Former nurse Linda Clarke, 59, and her husband, Dennis, 62, have for the past four years been bringing up grandsons Tom, 13, and Harry, 11, following the death of their mother.

Mrs Clarke worked as a nurse in intensive care at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, but was forced to retire through ill health.

Shortly afterwards, Jenny, her 34-year-old daughter, died from cancer, leaving her distraught sons in need of care.

Now, Mrs Clarke has won £25,000 on the Postcode Lottery, the first time she has won anything.

She signed up as a player just a few months ago after learning that ticket sales revenue supports cancer charities .

Mrs Clarke who lives on Middlesbrough's Berwick Hills housing estate, said: "I know the money goes to lots of local charities and I wanted to support them, especially cancer charities because they're close to my heart.

"It's the best thing I've ever done in my life."

She said that while Christmas would come early for the brothers and 15-year-old granddaughter Megan, most of the money would be put in the bank as a nest egg for the youngsters.

Mrs Clarke and her husband have been married for 41 years and have lived in the same street for 37 years.

The couple's neighbours in Kentmere Road are kicking themselves because they missed out on their share of the prize. Mrs Clarke is the only player in the street.

The Postcode Lottery has shared out more than £2.3m to players and almost £1m to local charities.