Hannah Valarie Dewar, 79, a gran living in Highlands, celebrated Christmas and New Years in the ultimate fashion by winning £30,000 and a new BMW

A gran has celebrated Christmas and started the new year in the best way possible by winning £30,000 and a brand new card on a scratchcard.

Hanna Valarie Dewar was left in disbelief after she won a BMW X2 and a huge amount of cash, on the Cars & Cash National Lottery scratchcard.

The 79-year-old, from Tain, in the Highlands, Scotland, was given the ultimate Christmas present on December 22, the Daily Record reported.

Mrs Dewar, or Val, as she’s known to everyone, said she had decided to treat herself to the scratchcard after a trip to the dentist.

On top of that, she revealed that she nearly threw the winning ticket away before she realised she had won.

She said: “I had been at the dentist that day and decided to buy myself a couple of Scratchcards to cheer myself up.

“I remember it because I was chatting to the lady behind the counter at Morrisons who, funnily-enough, was also called Val.

“Being a few days before Christmas the shop was very busy so I decided to wait until I got home to scratch them. I live in a farmhouse with a big open fire and normally when I have scratched the cards, and if I haven’t won anything, I just throw them into the fire.

“Strangely, that day the fire wasn’t lit and boy am I glad about that! I had scratched one side and was about to scrunch it up before I realised I had missed the second side. I was just sitting there in astonishment – I had won £30,000 AND a car!

“It was almost nine o’clock at night so it was too late to call anyone to tell them about the win. I had a rather sleepless night thinking about everything before I spoke to my daughter and was able to call the National Lottery in the morning.”

Val, who has lived on a farm in the area for over forty years, spent a quiet Christmas with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren with a luxury dinner ordered in from a local caterer.

While still undecided as to what to do with the money, one of Val’s grandsons has been dropping big hints that he’d like a new tractor for the farm he and his family live on nearby.

“I put that notion firmly to bed.

“I want to treat myself, although I have no idea what that treat is at the moment.”

One who will definitely be enjoying a treat is 10-year-old Tess, the collie who is constantly by Val’s side.

Val said: “Tess is my best friend and goes everywhere with me. I have a campervan and before the pandemic we would travel all over the Highlands.

“I really hope we can do this again soon, although Tess will be sitting in the lap of luxury thanks to the new BMW that we will be travelling in.

“I have also always loved horses so will definitely be able to spoil my two daughters with a few extra treats as well.”

While she admits she doesn’t really know much about cars, Val has already decided white is her chosen colour for the new BMW which will be delivered in the new year.

Despite the amazing luck she has enjoyed, Val will also continue to treat herself to a National Lottery Scratchcard each week.

“It’s part of my weekly routine. Since I gave up smoking in 2013 I have saved the money that I would have spent and used it to buy a few Scratchcards. It was obviously the right decision as it eventually brought me good luck!”

Val bought her winning Scratchcard at Morrisons, Dalmore Road in Alness, Ross-shire.

More than £1.2bn has been donated to charities and organisations impacted by the coronavirus pandemic by the National Lottery.

By playing any National Lottery game, players generate more than £30m each week for National Lottery-funded projects.