A NELSON woman is £100 better off after winning a prize in a Pendle Council promotion to encourage local people to pay their council tax by direct debit

Maureen Catlow, of Rook Street, was the first name picked out randomly by a computer in the promotion.

Mrs Catlow is one of 16,305 people in Pendle who currently pay their council tax by direct debit rather than other means such as in person or by post.

Jean Baxendale, the council's local taxation manager, said: "Paying by direct debit helps the council to reduce the cost of collecting the council tax and this can help to minimise rises in council tax.

"Paying by direct debit means no more queues, cheques or stamps. There's even a choice of dates."

Mrs Catlow said: "I am delighted to have won this prize. I have paid my council tax by direct debit for many years."