A man from Welling who rarely plays bingo has won the Gala Bingo Championship scooping £30,000 in prize money and a holiday to Las Vegas.

Roy Stokes, 62, had attended the championships final in Gibraltar as ‘a guest’ to his bingo fan and wife Linda. Linda, 59, who lives with Roy in Sidmouth Road, won her place at the finals following success at regional rounds in Bexleyheath and Feltham. While 60,000 members throughout the UK entered the six month competition only 154 players gained places into the finals.

Roy who before retiring worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland only plays bingo two or three times a year. Roy never believed that he would win adding: “It was 15 minutes that was just unbelievable.

“When I won the top prize I didn’t have the chance to react to anything. Before I knew where I was, I was on the stage with a cheque.

“We were both in a daze for the next couple of days and we haven’t come down to reality yet.”

Roy scooped £10,000 in the first play-off and then tripled his winnings in the final as well as taking the luxury trip Las Vegas.

Linda plays bingo at the Gala Bingo Club in Bexleyheath was offered the chance to play in the final round by her husband, but turned down the offer claiming he was the lucky one. It was just as nerve racking not playing though she claims

: “As he played I was just sitting there and my heart was nearly on the table.

“Everything changed in 10 to 15 minutes - it went from us winning nothing to us winning £30,000.”

“I was crying through the shock.”

Roy and Linda have said that while some of the money will be used for a new kitchen their three children and two grand-children will benefit as they plan a fantastic Christmas.