Last updated at 08:29, Thursday, 30 August 2012

THE lucky winner of a barbecue in an Evening Mail competition fought off the rain to celebrate his wife’s sixtieth birthday on Saturday.

CELEBRATION: Winner Robert Gates, pictured with Suzanne and Anna Gates, enjoys using the new barbecue for Anna’s 60th birthday CHRIS WARNER REF: 50037789B000

Robert Gates, of Mountbarrow Road, Ulverston, won the barbecue after entering two competitions in July, one by answering a simple question and the other by sending off coupons.

This was the first time the 60-year-old had won a prize after entering competitions regularly for years.

The prize was offered through partnership with the Evening Mail and Jacamo.

He said: “I was really surprised to win the competition. I do all the Evening Mail competitions and have never won before.”

Mr Gates put his prize to use for his wife’s birthday, joining friends and family for a celebration, with the help of a Gazebo to keep the barbecue out of the rain.

“We had friends and family round, it was a great day,” he said.

This summer has been a lucky one for Mr Gates, despite the weather, as just a couple of months previously, he won a desirable Hornby Locomotive through his membership of the Hornby Collectors Club.

First published at 16:06, Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk