THEY say lightning doesn't strike twice.

But Lady Luck has twice smiled on pensioner Barbara Lofthouse, thanks to the Evening Press.

Barbara has picked up the keys to a new car, thanks to a fantastic Evening Press competition.

We teamed up with Turnbulls of Layerthorpe to offer one lucky reader either a Mazda2 or Mitsubishi Colt worth more than £7,500.

Hundreds of readers took part in our contest, which offered the chance to win a car by collecting 80 tokens in the Evening Press.

It is not the first time Barbara, 75, has struck lucky thanks to one of our competitions.

Back in 1987, she won nearly £10,000 after playing our Spot the Ball contest - cash which she and her late husband, Brian, also put towards a new car.

Barbara, who does not drive, has handed the keys to her new Mazda to daughter Sally, on whom she relies to ferry her about.

Last year the person who claimed the star prize in our Win A Car competition was also a non-driver - 71-year-old Hazel Horsley, from Strensall. "I couldn't believe it," said Barbara, from Heslington. "It wasn't until I actually saw it that I realised I'd won."

She said the prize had come at an ideal time, as her daughter and son-in-law were planning to replace their old car and could now drive a brand new one.

Jen Horsley, promotions manager of York & County Press, said: "It's been a very successful promotion - the first time we've given a winner the chance to choose their car.

"Congratulations to Barbara. We hope she enjoys her new motor!"

Evening Press editor Kevin Booth said: "Our competition was a great success. We were delighted to work with Turnbulls on it again this year."

Turnbulls managing director Martyn Turnbull said he was "delighted" that Barbara had carried off the star prize. He said: "We look forward to her having a long and happy relationship with Turnbulls."

Updated: 10:55 Saturday, November 12, 2005