THREE months after her car was stolen, 48-year-old Anne Wheatley was back behind the wheel, thanks to a £700,000 Lotto jackpot.

The grandmother, from Peterlee, County Durham, was yesterday getting used to her new Audi after her numbers came up in Wednesday's draw.

As she celebrated her good luck, at Seaham Hall Hotel, County Durham, she said: "When my old banger went, I did miss it.

"Now I can buy whatever make of car I choose and I really like the Audi A3. It's definitely a step up from what I had before."

Ms Wheatley, who is the North-East's first jackpot winner this year, said her win came as a total shock.

"I phoned my dad straight away to tell him the news. He was over the moon for me."

Ms Wheatley, who bought her winning ticket at Asda in Peterlee, has two daughters, 29-year-old Zoe and 17-year-old Jade, two grandchildren and looks after her mother.

She plans to buy a bigger house in Peterlee.

"The win will mean a lot to the family. My eldest daughter and grandchildren have already been putting their wish list together and have asked for a laptop computer," she said.

"I'm looking forward to being able to treat those close to me, but I will not rush into anything."