A carer has won £10,000 on the health lottery after playing every week since it began.

Croydon mother-of-two Sheila Casey, 65, said she was delighted to win the money and plans to give most of it away to family.

Mrs Casey, who cares for her 35-year-old son Peter who has learning difficulties, matched four numbers and the bonus ball to scoop the prize.

She said: “It’s totally unreal, I can’t believe it’s happened. It is very exciting though.”

As she does every week, Mrs Casey bought the ticket from WH Smith in the Whitgift Centre using her regular numbers.

She said: “When I checked the numbers I thought they can’t be right, it really didn't sink in until the money was in my bank account.”

Mrs Casey’s husband John, 69, has been looking for a job since he was made redundant in March from Vestey Foods in Coulsdon.

She said: “The money will come in very useful. John has been annoying me a bit everyday on the computer, always tapping away trying to find a new job, he’ll still be looking for one but maybe he will be in less of a rush.”

The couple, who have been married 38 years, have already given a significant amount away to their two sons and Mrs Casey’s brother.

They plan to redecorate their hallway and put the rest of the money in the bank.

Mrs Casey added: “Me and John are too old to do it ourselves so it will be nice to get someone in. We couldn't afford it before.”

The couple are regular lottery players, alongside the Health Lottery they play the Lotto and the Thunderball every week.

Mrs Casey said: “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke so this is what I spend a little money on instead.”

They previously won £500 on the Health Lottery and have also won £100 four times with Thunderball but Mr Casey is hoping for the jackpot next time.

He said: “I’m hoping for another win so we can finally get that Rolls Royce I'm after.”

Mrs Casey added: “Because it is something that doesn't happen every day we are taking our time to think of how to celebrate but we will do something nice in the new year.”