THE biggest prize nurse Joan Dobson had ever won was a gravy boat in raffle in 1977, but she's now £1,000 richer.

East Lancashire Hospice patrons Lord and Lady Clitheroe unveiled the first winners of the new weekly draw to help meet running costs.

It ncludes a £250 runners-up prize, £100 for third place and 30 £5 winners.

Joan, who has worked at Blackburn Royal Infirmary since 1987 and on the children's surgical ward for the last nine years, said she was shocked but delighted by her windfall.

She said: "I certainly don't consider myself to be a lucky person so I couldn't believe it when I heard. My family does the National Lottery every week but we've only ever won the odd tenner.

"The only prize I've ever won was a stainless steel gravy boat in raffle when I was 15 and I had a hard time trying to get rid of it

"The lottery does an absolutely fantastic job and we're proud to support it."

This weekend, Joan, of Poplar Close, Rishton, will be celebrating with husband,Stephen and brother-in-law Raymond, who have formed a mini-syndicate, and children Matthew, 15, Rebekha, 13, and ten-year-old Melissa.

Lottery manager Harry Grayson said: "In many ways it's lovely that someone from the caring professions is our first winner.

"We're delighted with the success so far. Thesupport we have received has been fantastic.

"We aimed to have 2,300 people signed up but we have nearly 3,000 and hope to have 7,000 by the end of the year.

"On achievement, approximately £120,000 gross profit will go towards the £400,000 annual operating costs".

The East Lancashire Hospice, in Park Lee Road, is the main specialist palliative care unit in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, serving a population of 520,000.

Its aim is to offer palliative care, free of charge, to patients with advanced and progressive life-threatening disease and support for their relatives and carers, in an atmosphere of calm with tenderness, care and quiet efficiency.

Anybody wishing to help with collections or join the Lottery can do so by calling Harry or Ann at the Lottery Office on 01254 342847. T

The winning numbers are:

1, 000946 (£1000), 2, 000028 (£250), 3, 001681 (£100).

Thirty £5 winners are 000760, 002737, 002358, 000212, 002908, 001247, 000986, 000873, 000791, 000561, 000466, 000363, 000244, 000149, 000748, 001224, 001514, 001790, 001826, 001941, 002083, 002092, 002296, 000974, 000127, 000563, 002234, 001951, 000470, 002510.