A RUNCORN mum has won a brand new car.

Mum-of-three Emma James, aged 34, beat 6,000 entrants in an online competition celebrating the new image of Runcorn Shopping Centre.

She said she couldn’t believe it when she received the surprise phone call.

Emma, of Cherry Tree Avenue, said: “I thought it was a bit of a joke at first. It took a while for it to sink in.

“I’m very excited.”

Her husband, Kevin, aged 40, is registered disabled, with pancreatitis and diabetes. They plan to sell their old car.

Her three children, Sophie, aged 15, Alec, aged 13, and Emily, aged 10, take part in lots of activities.

Emma, a former Grange pupil, added: “The car will come in very handy if my husband ends up in hospital.

“The two girls do dance and my son is in the army cadets so I am always running them round.”

The red Ford KA was donated by Polar Ford, which has just opened a new outlet at Runcorn Shopping Centre.

Graham Woods, general manager for Polar Ford, said: “We are extrememly excited about the pop-up shop as it is the first of its kind in the UK.

“The store will make it easy for customers to book services, test drives and talk to us about their motability scheme.”

Karl Clawley, centre manager, said: “We are pleased to be working closely with Polar Ford and have had a fantastic response to this competition which helped launch our new website.

“We are thrilled to have Polar Ford in the centre and are very excited for the future working alongside them.”