A LUCKY couple from Alderholt won the first prize of the Stars Appeal Christmas Raffle when the draw took place on Wednesday morning.

More than £32,000 was raised for the Stars Appeal's MRI Scanner Campaign as a result of the raffle.

The raffle sold around 41,000 tickets.

The draw was conducted by Stars Appeal Chairman Penny Brown, Consultant Surgeon Graham Branagan, and David Bolton of F J Chalke of Mere.

Robert and Barbara Mellors, from Alderholt, won the top prize, a Kia Picanto car supplied by FJ Chalke..

Mrs Mellors couldn't believe the couples luck: "Its absolutely fantastic.

"We certainly never expected to win, we never expect to win anything we go in for."

The second prize - £1,000 cash - went to Mr Robin George of Warminster.

Mr George said: "It's fantastic.

"The funny thing is that when I got dressed this morning, I realised I'd put my jumper on inside out, and thought to myself 'I won't change it because it might bring me some luck', so I'm going to have to wear it inside out every time now.

"I'm not really sure what I'll do with the money to be honest, but it will probably go towards one of the cruises me and wife go on every year."

Gemma Heath, Events & Community Fundraiser for the Stars Appeal “Our huge thanks to everyone who bought a ticket and helped to raise an amazing £32,500 for the MRI Scanner campaign.

"We’d also like to thank FJ Chalke of Mere for kindly supplying a car as top prize for the 10th year running.

"And of course our congratulations to Mr & Mrs Mellor, and all our lucky winners!”

Other prizes included a 3rd prize of £500 cash, won by Mr Brian Street, from Shaftesbury and five other £50 cash prize winners.

All winners have been notified.

The Stars Appeal still have around £100,000 left to raise of their £1.5million target.

Graham Branagan said: "A second MRI scanner will enable us to provide local people with the best possible scans right here in their local hospital using the very latest MRI techniques.

"Please join me and my fellow doctors and surgeons in supporting the Stars Appeal MRI Scanner Campaign - thank you.”

For more information, go to starsappeal.org, or the Stars Appeal's Facebook page.