A FAMILY'S holiday is off to a flying start after landing £1,000 to spend on their summer getaway.

Lea Atkinson, 31, of Trimdon, won the money in a Hays Travel competition after she entered a prize draw when she booked a trip to Portugal.

Mrs Atkinson said: "It couldn't have come at a better time.

"I'm coming to the end of maternity leave, so it's a big relief.

"I'm off to Portugal later this year with my family, along with a friend and her family, and we're looking forward to the holiday even more now and sharing the spending money between us."

Julie Ann Humphrey, manager of the travel agent's Sedgefield branch, said 5,000 people entered the competition and wished Mrs Atkinson a happy holiday.