A Butlins switchboard operator scooped a £19,000 jackpot at the launch party for a new bingo venue in West Sussex.

Brenda Hegaty, 51, won top prize in a game which linked the new Gala Bingo at Butlins in Bognor with 166 other bingo games across the UK.

Coronation Street actor Brian Capron, who played murderer Richard Hillman, was the star guest at last night's official opening.

However, Mrs Hegaty, from Bognor, stole the limelight by winning the showpiece Dream Ticket game.

She had turned up with a group of friends from work, never expecting to win such a large amount.

She said: "I am still on cloud nine. It was a fantastic feeling to win - everyone was coming up and congratulating me. It was a wonderful evening."

Mrs Hegaty plans to treat her son and his girlfriend to a holiday, then take another break with her sister.

Mr Capron, who lives in Hove, officially opened the venue at 7.15pm following entertainment from covers band One Hit Wonders and comedian Stephen Pierre.