A SINGER from Worcester scooped more than £500 after backing the Grand National winning horse which shares the name of her rock band.

Twenty-three-year-old Jess Calvesbert, who is the singer with the five-piece metal band Aurora, received a host of messages telling her that outsider Auroras Encore was competing in the famous Aintree race.

The former Blessed Ed-ward Oldcorne School pupil placed a £5 each-way bet on the horse and didn’t have to wait long to discover that she had netted an impressive £510.

Between the band – the other members come from Birmingham – they scooped about £2,000 and Ms Calvesbert said that about £20,000 was bagged by family, friends and fans.

“I put the bet on at 80/1,” she said. “I wasn’t aware of the horse until people told us and said we should have a bet. It’s strange because we’ve just released an EP and one of the songs is called the Lucky Ones.”

She said the top worn by jockey Ryan Mania features a diamond similar to a band T-shirt.

“I didn’t watch the race myself. I didn’t know what time it was on,” said the singer. “But my phone was going mental. I’ve never had so many messages.”

Ms Calvesbert said her winnings would be ploughed back into the band which is due to head into the studio to record an album this weekend.