COUNCIL workers are in for a fabulous Christmas after scooping £104,000 on the National Lottery.

The group of 19 tradesman from Hartlepool Borough Council raised a glass of bubbly at their depot yesterday (TUES) as they celebrated their big win.

The painters, plasterers, joiners, plumbers and bricklayers, who work in the council's building maintenance department, nailed their win after matching five numbers and the bonus ball in the Lotto draw on November 5.

And with just six weeks to Christmas, they will each bank £5,488.47 to ensure the holidays are extra special this year.

Syndicate leader and council technical manager Tom Storer, 54, said: "When I found out I was just over the moon for the workforce because they are just general workers, so £5,000 means a lot to them.

"We are all going to have a night out to celebrate next week. It's going to be a great Christmas. It's certainly come at the right time.

"It's not going to change our lives, but we will be able to get things that we want and just have a better Christmas."

Sandra Gleeson, 60, from Hartlepool, was also celebrating with the group yesterday as she decided to continue with the syndicate after her late husband Peter, a plumber, died.

She said: "There was no way I could leave the syndicate when Peter died, and I'm glad I stayed in.

"I have no idea what I will spend it on. I want a new garage door, though."

And Hartlepool joiner Billy Dees said: "The day we all found out, we were walking on air. Everyone literally leapt up into the air. It was a very different day after that."