A WAREHOUSE worker from York surprised her husband after a 25p ticket won him a £5,000 Tag Heuer watch. 

Jo Thornton, 55, from Acomb was enjoying the sunshine in the garden when Christian Williams, the man who gives winners the good news for online competition company BOTB, video called her. 

Jo won the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02 timepiece in the firm’s weekly lifestyle competition.

She had only entered the draw in the hopes of making her partner, Steve, smile after the recent loss of his father, Derek.

“Today would have been Derek’s 90th birthday so he must be looking down on us,” Jo explained.

“It’s been a tough few months and I wanted to do something to put a smile on Steve’s face.

“But I wasn’t really expecting to win - I can’t believe it!”

She laughed: “I’ve never won anything before in my life.

“It’s typical as well that it’s not even for me, it’s for my husband!”

The that Jo has won for Steve is top-of-the-range and worn by the likes of Will Smith, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio as Tag Heuer owners. 

Jo, who used to play football for York City Ladies, has been off work since November due to arthritis.

“It’s been a tough year all round to be honest so this has really cheered us up,” she added.

“Thank you so much BOTB!”

The company, listed on the stock market, was founded by William Hindmarch in 1999 and has given away more than £37 million worth of cars so far. 

BOTB’s Christian, who calls winners every week, said: “Jo and Steve seem like a lovely couple and I’m so glad I was able to give them this good news after a tough few months for them. Massive congratulations again to them both!”