THE country's first National Postcode Lottery winners were celebrating in the streets of a North-East town last night.

Mary Burnip, 28, of Second Avenue, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was the lucky winner of the first prize of £25,000.

Susan Ritchie, 46, of nearby Moorfoot Avenue, won a new Mini.

Both won because they live in the winning postcode district of DH2.

A further 77 lucky ticket holders were given a share of a £10,000 pot of cash - £129 each.

Ms Burnip, a retail manager, leapt with joy at hearing the news.

She said: "I joined the lottery mainly because of the money that goes to charity."

Apart from buying a new car, she said she had not yet decided what to do with the cash - although her partner, David Mellor, said he was thinking of taking a holiday in Mexico.

The Mini came as an early birthday present for Mrs Ritchie, a nurse whose daughter, Joanne, 19, has just started driving lessons.

The lottery, which has given more than £1.5bn to charity and paid out £1bn since starting in Holland 15 years ago, is being piloted in the North-East.

People in the region have a one in 134 chance of winning. If successful, it will expand to the other regions of the country.

The Postcode Lottery, run by the Dutch firm Novamedia, raises money for local charities as well as allowing communities to share in big prizes.

The lottery costs £2 a week by direct debit. Register online at www.national-postcodelottery.co.uk, or call 0808 1098765 for more information.