A HORSE owner is riding high after winning £25,000 on the People's Postcode Lottery.

And 25 seems to be a lucky number for Jacqueline Taylor, as she is about to pay off her 25-year mortgage and celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary.

Mrs Taylor, 52, from Scotton, near Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, said she burst into tears when presented with her surprise cheque.

She said: "I feel like I have had no luck or bad luck recently, so this is great.

"I joined the People's Postcode Lottery because it helps local charities. It is also smaller, so I thought there would be a better chance of winning, but I never expected this."

Mrs Taylor, who works in administration at Catterick Garrison, has been nursing a sick mare for the past year.

Molly, her 11-year-old skewbald with "lots of presence and personality", has had health problems and her future career looked doubtful.

Mrs Taylor said: "She loves jumping, so it was terrible thinking that might have to end."

But Molly is on the mend now, and Mrs Taylor hopes to resume dressage events, showjumping and crosscountry.

She also helps a friend to look after six horses.

Mrs Taylor plans to use the money to take husband Julian to Crete in time for their 25th anniversary, on June 25. The money will also pay for a living room makeover and other home improvements.

A Lottery spokeswoman said: "The People's Postcode Lottery has given out nearly £3.4m to players and over £1.4m to charities in the North-East and Yorkshire.

"Jacqueline's neighbours missed out because, although their postcode came up, none of them were players."