Just before Christmas Dulcie Murray was drawn out as the winner of the Hunter Valley News Shop Local competition.

Mrs Murray won a holiday to the value of $3500 which was donated by Singleton’s Harvey World Travel.

She had two entries in for the competition, both after visiting participating business Razor Edge Hair Designs in Muswellbrook, during the month of December.

“It was the first time I had been to the salon,” Mrs Murray said.

“I think it’s going to be my regular salon from now on though.”

Mrs Murray said she was surprised when notified of her win and said that it could not have come at a better time.

“I received the call to say I had won the day after I came home from hospital after having knee surgery,” she said.

“It was just what I needed.”

Mrs Murray said she had never won anything before and was looking forward to putting the money towards a holiday for her and her husband Peter to Queensland.

“We can go anywhere we like, but we are thinking of heading to Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach,” she said.

Eight businesses in Singleton, Muswellbrook, Denman, Scone and Aberdeen took part in the month-long promotion.

Mrs Murray extended her thanks to all the businesses involved in the competition.