CHRISTMAS arrived days early for great-grandmother Dorothy McMillan - in the shape of a new car.

Santa Claus presented the 66-year-old with the keys to a Fiat Punto after her entry was selected from hundreds in a prize draw at the Reg Vardy dealership in Portrack Lane, Stockton.

Mrs McMillan, of Lancaster Road, Hartlepool, said: "It's absolutely fantastic, I have never won anything before in my life.

"It was a shock when I found out. I couldn't believe it, but it's a lovely surprise for Christmas."

Mrs McMillan, a former barmaid, and her husband Joseph, 67, a retired lorry driver collected the Fiat Punto this week.

The couple have ten children, 30 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, plus another great-grandchild on the way.

"I will use the Punto to get to the shops and to take my grandchildren out - one at a time, though, I can't get them all in together," said Mrs McMillan.

The prize draw celebrated the opening of Reg Vardy Fiat, which moved to Portrack Lane in October.

Customers who took cars for a test drive had their names put into the draw and Mrs McMillan's name was picked out.