SPOT the Dog made two Westmorland Gazette readers very happy and considerably richer this week, reports Justin Hawkins.

Lynn Nicholson and Martin Dinsdale became the first winners of the Spot the Dog jackpot since November 2002.

They were told yesterday (Thursday) they would share accumulated prize money of £9,200 netting £4,600 each. The Gazette also threw in a bottle of Champagne each to help their celebrations go with a fizz.

On hearing news of her big win, Mrs Nicholson, who only started playing Spot the Dog two months ago, said: "I can't believe it - I'll have to sit down."

The mother-of-three from White Stiles, Kendal, is now thinking of treating husband Ian to a weekend away for his 40th birthday next month. She said: "I know it's a bit boring, but we do need a new sofa as well."

Mr Dinsdale, of New Hutton, near Kendal, said he only started playing the game again after seeing the jackpot grow and grow over the last year-and-a-half.

Mr Dinsdale, who works at Chas Kendal bookmakers on Kirkland, said: "I see people winning money all day, so it's nice to win something myself."

The 23-year-old is now thinking of spending his winnings on a holiday. He said he might even travel to Portugal to watch England play in Euro 2004.

Neither was perturbed at having to share the £9,200 jackpot with another winner.

"It's nice to share it," said Mrs Nicholson.

Westmorland Gazette editor/publisher Mike Glover said: "It's remarkable that after 18 months or so without a winner we should have two in the same week, although the number of entries has increased recently, as the jackpot has got higher and higher, making finding a winner more likely.

"I hope the winners enjoy their good fortune - it's nice to have a competition with genuinely local winners."

Get your copy of The Westmorland Gazette to play.