A PRESTON foster mum scratched her way to success and scooped a new set of wheels worth around £16,000.

Brenda Carlaw, 45, from Cromwell Road, Ribbleton, won the top prize on the National Lottery 'Cash & Car' £1 scratchcard.

Lucky Brenda, who has been fostering children for the past two years, drove off in a new Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1.8i.

It was her partner Dennis Latibaudiere, 47, who bought the winning ticket from the Spar shop in Ribbleton.

After scratching off the sealed panel Dennis knew he was on to a winner and rushed off home to tell Brenda the good news.

"I didn't believe it," said Brenda. "I play scratchcards on an occasional basis. The most I've ever won before is £40 so it was a complete shock to win the car. I thought Dennis had made a mistake."

The couple, who have one 13-year-old daughter, Lindsay, currently drive a seven-seater estate to accommodate their large foster family.

But they are over-the-moon after winning the top-of-the-range motor supplied by Perry's Vauxhall dealership, Preston.

"The Astra will come in handy as a second car," said Brenda.

"My daughter has already asked me if she can have the car when she passes her driving test," she added.

Brenda, who works Alston Transport Company in Channel Way, also pocketed a £750 cash prize which she said will go toward a family holiday.