A Bradford health worker is celebrating beating the odds to win two prizes in a staff draw - including a £20,000 car.

Julie Balahura, who works for Bradford District Care Trust, scooped a Mercedes-Benz B Class car only weeks after winning £250 in the Bradford NHS 50/50 Lottery.

The mother-of-two has been playing the lottery since it started in 1989 but has never won anything before.

"I can't believe it," she said.

"I've always considered myself to be unlucky and this year has been particularly tough for me. These wins, just before Christmas, couldn't have come at a better time."

Her winning streak - which includes a cheque for £500 with the car - is a bright end to a difficult year for her family.

Mrs Balahura, 41, of Wibsey, combines her job as a development worker at the Trust's NVQ centre at Stoney Ridge Hospital, Cottingley, with looking after her six-year-old son Connor and daughter Samantha, 15.

Samantha has primary pulmonary hypertension, a rare lung condition that makes her heart work a lot harder.

The Queensbury School pupil, who relies on oxygen and regular trips to London's Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, had to take six months off school earlier this year she was so ill. The condition makes her dizzy, tired and short of breath.

It has also robbed her of enjoying hobbies such as swimming and dancing and in the future she faces the prospect of a heart and lung transplant.

But now she is enjoying celebrating her mum's success.

Mrs Balahura, who was given a standing ovation by colleagues when lottery promoter John Sidebottom broke the good news to her, said: "She is really excited about the car.

"She wanted to be here today but she is doing mock GCSE exams. I haven't even broken the news to my son yet."

Con Egan, Trust chief executive, said: "This could not happen to a better person."

The lottery is open to more than 6,000 health care workers across the district. Staff pay £1 a month to take part in the prize draw.

Half the money collected is distributed back in prizes, with the remainder channelled into improving health care for patients across the district.

The Bradford NHS Lottery was started more than a decade ago. Staff have won more than £200,000 in prizes, including a dozen cars.