CHRISTMAS came early for one lucky family after they won a superb games system in an Echo competition.

John and Claire Blakeney and their teenage children, Rachel and Matthew, from Bow, near Crediton, were delighted to discover they had won a sought-after Nintendo Wii package.

Delighted dad John said: "We were stunned. It's an absolute beauty — it's done all our Christmas shopping."

The competition win came as a particular boost for the family, after Claire recently underwent a series of stressful medical tests.

Claire, who was working behind the counter at Crediton Post Office when she got the call to say she had won the prize, said: "I was astounded, to say the least. At first I thought it couldn't be true.

"I always buy the Echo, but this was the first time I have entered a competition.

"I saw the prize and thought it would be great for the kids at Christmas."

Rachel, 17, and Matthew, 15, are students at Queen Elizabeth's Community College in Crediton.

They will have to wait until Christmas to try out their new Nintendo, as it is going to be wrapped and put under the tree.

John, who works as a paramedic based in Okehampton, said: "We wanted to get them a Wii for Christmas. This package has got everything — guitar, drums, a family trainer, the sports pack, steering wheels, the lot. We worked out it's worth about £600.

"We would never have bought them all that. The credit crunch isn't going to be so bad now."

The games console was one of a range of fantastic prizes given away in Echo competitions during the recent Who's Andy? reality show experiment in Princesshay.

Andy's TV and DVD player were won by Mrs S Marshall, from Clyst Hydon.

Items from his kitchen, including a kettle, mini fridge, toaster, glassware and dinner set, were won by Mrs A Brown, from Cullompton.

Furnishings from his flat are on their way to S Henry, of Bridestowe, while Andy's shirt and sunglasses were won by Mr G Costa, from Dawlish.