A WOMAN picked up more than she bargained for when she visited a shopping centre.

Sharon Ollie, a home care assistant from South Shields, won £800 worth of holiday vouchers in a Postcards from Paradise promotion at Durham's Prince Bishops shopping centre.

The five-week competition, backed by Century FM's Paul "Goffy" Gough, asked shoppers to pick up a postcard from any of the centre's stores and post it from their holiday destination.

Miss Ollie said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard Goffy announce my name on the radio. I have never won anything before and was absolutely thrilled when I found out."

Peter Bennison, shopping centre manager, said: "There were hundreds of entries for the competition. I am delighted that such a lovely lady has won the trip and hope Sharon has a fantastic time.