LUCKY lady Brenda Silman has found the perfect tonic in her recovery from open heart surgery - winning a new car!

The 65-year-old, from Rawcliffe, York, has driven away with a sporty new Mazda2 worth more than £10,000 after being the first name out of the hat in our Win A Car competition.

It is the third Evening Press competition Brenda has won since Christmas. She previously claimed carpet vouchers and a stone bird bath.

Brenda said: "This couldn't have come at a better time. I can't believe it - it was the perfect tonic after my heart operation. My husband has just retired and we were looking for a new car."

The mother-of-two, who cannot drive herself, had a new heart valve fitted in her operation and recently recovered from glaucoma which could have blinded her.

"It feels like a dream," she said. "I can't drive so it's a good job I've got someone to chauffeur me."

Brenda's husband, Alf, a retired bailiff, said: "We're so happy to win. The car is almost identical to the one I used to have."

Evening Press editor Kevin Booth said: "The competition was a great success and, in Brenda, we have a worthy winner. I'm delighted for her, especially after her recent heart operation. I hope it's a real tonic as she recovers from surgery.

"As a winner three times over, she's proof that it pays to try your hand at some of the great competitions carried by the Evening Press. I'm extremely grateful to Turnbull Mazda for their support and to the many, many readers who took part."

Martyn Turnbull, managing director of Turnbulls Mazda, which is based in Layerthorpe, said: "There were just over 4,000 entries for this competition. I think it's a fantastic story that Brenda won. I don't think we could have found a better winner because of what she's been through."

The culmination of the joint promotion falls fittingly in Local Newspaper Week, a campaign which highlights the important role regional papers play in the lives of their communities.

Updated: 10:31 Thursday, May 19, 2005