A PART-TIME typist and singer has won a new car in a cancer charity raffle.

Francesca Lavick, of Chester-le-Street, has won a Citroen C3 in a prize draw run by the northern region of Halifax Estate Agents.

More than 16,000 £1 tickets were sold to staff and customers in 96 Halifax branches, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The winning ticket was drawn by Halifax managing director Jane Pridgeon at the company's headquarters in Halifax.

Francesca, who as well as working for Halifax Bank of Scotland also works part-time as a hairdresser and singer, said: "I decided to buy five tickets because of the prize and because it was for such a worthy cause. I couldn't believe it when they phoned to tell me I'd won."

The £16,400 raised, was matched by the Halifax Bank of Scotland Foundation and the car was donated by Reg Vardy.

Nationally, the Halifax has raised more than £1m for Macmillan Cancer Relief this year.