CREAM cakes can be good for you; just ask teenager Kelly Renton.

She popped into Tesco in Catterick Garrison to treat herself and sister Mandy and, while waiting to pay, she picked up some scratchcards on impulse.

Back in the car, Kelly was thrilled to discover she had won £40 with one of them, but her delight turned to disbelief when she netted an incredible £77,777 with another.

Kelly, who was 18 in December, said: "I just could not believe it. I thought this just doesn't happen; not to me, anyway.

"Mandy kept telling me I'd won and I just kept saying I couldn't have; it was only later that I let myself believe it."

Kelly, who recently took a job at Solberge Hall, near Northallerton, could not afford to celebrate that night.

She didn't have any money to go out so she spent the evening at home in Catterick Village ringing family and friends, including elder sisters Paula and Tracy and brothers Darren and Billy.

She said: "I told my mum as soon as I got home but my dad was in hospital so I rang him.

"I think they can all expect a bit of a treat this year and I'm thinking of maybe taking a holiday, although I haven't decided where to go yet; there just hasn't been time.

"I won't be quitting my job or anything like that though. I definitely want to keep some of the money invested as it gives me security but really, right now, I'm just enjoying having it."

There is one thing Kelly has set her her heart on, a smart new BMW. But first she will have to learn to drive.

Kelly said: "I haven't started driving lessons yet but I've always liked BMWs. I haven't decided on which model, I'll wait until I've had a proper look round the showroom."