A SIBERIAN tiger was all that stood between Rose Kelly and a million pounds.

Rose, 55, of Cedar Grove, York was two questions away from carrying off the jackpot prize on the popular TV show The Vault last night.

After an assured start, she stumbled on the fifth question - which is the largest of the tiger family - to which the answer was the Siberian tiger.

Rose, who was back down to earth today at her job as assistant manager of the Greenhouse caf, in Church Street, said: "I never want to see another tiger."

Rose said she had known the answer to what would have been the sixth and final question.

Rose's sister, Anne-Marie, of Milson Grove, was watching the programme with her daughter Leanna, eight, and her mother, Mary, who was on holiday in York.

Two other members of the family, siblings Helen and Jim, happened to be watching in their homes.

None of them had any idea that Rose was to feature on the show until they heard her voice answering questions.

Anne-Marie said: "We were right on the edge of our seats. She answered the questions really well up. It's a shame, but these things happen."

Updated: 14:30 Wednesday, July 14, 2004