SLEEPLESS in Swindon that's the best description of bingo winner Debbie Wakefield who couldn't sleep for a week after pocketing just over £202,000.

And the mother-of-two is giving half of her jackpot to her friend and bingo buddy Jackie Cox.

Debbie, 45, of West Swindon, couldn't believe her luck after winning the prize money at the Gala Club at Greenbridge Retail Park.

"It was such a shock when they announced how much I had won," said Debbie, who completed a 'full house' in 38 numbers, the fewest anywhere nationwide.

"My husband was out when I got home so I rang my youngest son.

"He thought I said I'd won £2,000 and when I told him £202,000 he said, 'Are you sure?'"

Debbie, who works as a digital printer, had to take a day off work because she was sick with shock.

"I am beginning to come to terms with it now," said Debbie, who is married to Councillor Steve Wakefield (Cons, Shaw and Nine Elms). The couple have two sons.

"The nerves really got to me and it's only just sinking in," she said.

She intends to use some of the money to pay off part of her mortgage and re-decorate the house.

"I haven't had enough time yet to really decide what I want to do with it," she said.

Debbie usually attends bingo five times a week and has been playing for 15 years. She regularly attends the club at Greenbridge.

She met friend Jackie, 43, at bingo and the pair have been playing together for about three years.

Jackie, who lives in Park South and works for WH Smith, said: "Before we started playing we agreed to share any winnings. I haven't spent any of it yet though."

They won the National Bingo Game prize of £200,000 plus the regional prize of £2,026 and the club prize of £240. Debbie said: "I am still going to work, I am still going to bingo and I'm still going to do all the things I usually do."

Greenbridge bingo manager Stuart Kirkpatrick said: "I am absolutely delighted for them. It's fantastic to see people win so much money."

Debbie cannot be sure how much she has spent on bingo during the 15 years she has been playing, but on average she spends £100 a week.

Up until this win, the most she had cashed in was about £300 and Jackie had only ever won £10.

This is only the second time that someone has won such a large amount at the Swindon bingo club.

In December 2002 a woman won about £200,000 and in March 2003 two people netted wins of £51,000 and £24,000 in the space of two weeks.

elidbury@newswilts.co.uk