TEENAGE mum-to-be Melanie Rodgers will be able to give her new arrival the best possible start after scooping £106,000 in the National Bingo Game.

Melanie, 18, from Burnley, has only been going to bingo for three weeks and was pleased when it was announced she had won the club prize of £126.

Only later that night did Burnley Gala Club's star bingo caller and entertainer Brian Gillatt ask Melanie if she wanted the good news or the bad.

He told her she had won the regional prize of £6,196 - then said she had scooped the national prize of £100,000.

Melanie said: "At first I didn't twig and my friend who I was with said to me you've won, you've won!

"I still can't really believe it and I don't think it will properly sink in just how much money it is until I receive the cheque."

Generous Melanie has agreed to split the winnings 50-50 with her friend who attends bingo with her bit does not wish to be named.

She is also planning to treat her family and friends including her sister Joanne, 16, and her six-week-old baby Tyler and her brother Marc.

The former Walshaw High School pupil has worked at Dorma in Burnley as a machinist for two-and-a-half years and her boyfriend Dominic Licastri works as a labourer for the firm.

She is nearly seven-months' pregnant and the baby is expected in February.

Melanie said: "The number 42 came out and I was only waiting for 24 so I thought I probably wouldn't win.Then 24 was announced.

"I will be able to buy a house now and one I want near to my mum and I am going to treat my family.

"I am going to carry on working because I like working there."

Melanie's aunt and gran also play bingo but not her mother.

Melanie added: "I rang her from the club to tell her how much I had won and she didn't believe me!"

The National Bingo Game is played is played every night of the year except Christmas Day and two games are held on a Saturday. Since it began in June 1986, £659million has been paid out to lucky winners.