Dumbstruck': regular scratchcard buyer Helena Cooper described her win as the best anniversary present I've ever had'

A lucky grandmother from Borehamwood got more than she bargained for on a trip to her local newsagent last week after she scooped £52,000 from a National Lottery scratchcard on her 37th wedding anniversary.

Helena Cooper, 53, from Rossington Avenue, could not believe her luck when she scratched off the winning card after returning home last Wednesday afternoon after taking her grandchildren out to buy some sweets.

"I was in a complete state of shock," said Mrs Cooper, a self-employed child minder and mother-of-four.

"I had to ask my daughter to double check. I was just sitting on my sofa completely dumbstruck.

"We started to manically phone all my family and friends, my husband couldn't believe what was happening. It seemed too good to be true, especially as it was our wedding anniversary."

Mrs Cooper has been buying scratchcards from K&G Off-licence & General Store, a short walk from her house, every day since they were introduced in 1995, but has never won more than £10.

The lucky card was a weekly payout scratchcard, which cost £2 and will see £1,000 wired into her bank account every week for the next year, tax free.

Her odds of winning the top prize were one in 1.68 million.

"I haven't really thought about what I'm going to spend it on yet, but it will be nice not having to worry about money for a while," she said.

"John Mrs Cooper's husband who works as a mechanic and I have wanted a new kitchen for years and now we can have what we've always wanted without worrying about having to save for it.

"I did treat myself to a top which I've had my eye on for ages at the weekend and that was nice. I'm sure my grandchildren will also want a few things.

"I'm just thankful that it's not a stupid amount of money so I don't feel like a target.

"You never think it will happen to you, but I'm proof it can.

"It was the best anniversary present I've ever had."

Punters spend over £700 million a year on National Lottery scratchcards, and sales are currently running higher than at any time in the last six years.