DELIGHTED Derek Bradley is geared up for a Christmas to remember after driving off with a new car in the Evening News Win a Rover 25 competition.

He admitted he was "shaking" when he joined the 19 other finalists at yesterday's winner's draw at Startin Rover.

All the finalists' names were put into one box, with a set of 20 keys put into another box.

As each name was drawn, a set of keys was also drawn and the entrant had to nervously see if their keys fitted the car's lock.

"When it came to my turn, I was shaking," said Derek, of Brookthorpe Close, Warndon. "I couldn't believe it when the key fitted! We were all nervous by then. Mine was the 12th name pulled out."

Derek, who works at Reality in St John's, then tried to contact his wife Jane who was enjoying her work's Christmas party at the time.

"I'd gone to the showroom with my brother David, so she didn't know anything about it," said the father-of-four. "She was ecstatic!"

The Bradleys, who are awaiting the birth of their third grandchild, can now sell their current car.

"It's not an old banger or anything, but it's great to have a new one," he added.

Promotions executive Sarah Taylor said the joint Evening News-Startin competition, launched in October, had proved tremendously popular.

"We had 3,500 entries, which was an absolutely fantastic response," she said. "The finalists were treated to champagne and mince pies and the draw was made by Evening News editor Stewart Gilbert and Startin dealer principal John Whiles.

"We're thrilled for Derek and hope he thoroughly enjoys his prize."

Mr Stewart Gilbert also passed on his congratulations to the lucky winner.

"The car's a fabulous prize," he said, "and that's reflected in the record entry. Well done to Derek and his family."