A SHOP worker has scored big on a lottery scratchcard winning £100,000 and fulfilling her childhood dream of buying a caravan.
Debbie Pryce, from Harwich, bought the National Lottery scratchcard while working at the Premier Store in Garland Road, Parkeston.
The 50-year-old said it was "just a bit of a whim to pass the time" and didn't understand how to play.
"Although I saw a diamond symbol it didn’t register what it meant," she said.
"Even after I had revealed nine more diamonds I was still unsure so I simply put the scratchcard away and carried on serving.”
A friend came into the shop and told Debbie she had won at least £50,000.
“I think I must have gone into some sort of shock because even after my friend had said it was worth quite a bit I again put the scratchcard in my handbag and carried on working," she added.
"It was only when my boss came in at the end of the day and took a proper look at the scratchcard and said I’d actually won £100,000 that it started to become a reality.
"It was the strangest, most wonderful feeling and I floated home on cloud nine.
“Once I got home and was trying to explain what had happened to my partner I just couldn’t stop giggling."
After Camelot confirmed the win, Debbie began planning how to spend her winnings - top of the list was buying a caravan in Great Yarmouth.
She said: “As a child we always went on a caravan holiday to Great Yarmouth.
"They were such happy, carefree times and ever since then I’ve dreamt of owning a caravan.
"It may have taken me a few years and one whopping dose of luck but thanks to my scratchcard win I have finally made my childhood dream a reality."
The mum-of-four now plans to give her children a "little nest-egg" for Christmas and buy a new car.
The £250,000 Christmas Advent Calendar Scratchcard offers a 1 in 3.04 overall chance of winning a prize. The card costs £10 and prizes range from £10 up to the top prize of £3million.
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