TAUNTON’S Samantha Griffiths said she was ‘over the moon’ after learning she had won our driving licence competition.

Your County Gazette teamed up with Ellisons School of Motoring to give one lucky reader the chance for a deserving learner – who has the need to drive but not the means to afford lessons – to win up to 50 hours of free tuition, as well as a theory and practical test.

A shortlist of 10 worthy winners was compiled from the hundreds of nominations received, and young mum Samantha, from Taunton, took home the prize after earning the most votes.

“I am absolutely delighted, honestly over the moon – I am actually shaking,” Samantha said.

“I didn’t know I had been nominated in the first place so to win the whole competition is even more unbelievable.”

Cindy Griffiths, who nominated Samantha, said she ‘deserved a break in life’ .

“She is a young mother who has given a lot over her short life. She was a voluntary police officer for two years in her early 20’s,” Cindy said.

“She works two jobs. One is a night shift security role, but she has to rely on others to give her lifts. She also works another job to make ends meet. And on top of that she gives back to the community as a volunteer for charity.”

Lisa Ellison, who founded the driving school with her husband Paul three years ago, said she wanted to run the competition to give something back to the community.

“I’m really pleased this has gone to a worthy winner, who I’m sure will benefit hugely from being able to drive especially working the hours she does,” Lisa said.

“Once she has her provisional licence back we will start giving her some hours out on the road with one of our amazing instructors.

“I’d like to thank everyone who entered the competition. It was a huge task trying to just pick the final 10 so I’m glad I didn’t have to pick the winner, and thank you to the County Gazette for helping us to run the competition.”