A mother-of-two from Long Stratton will be �900 richer after winning a competition not to pay council tax for a year.

Stephanie Royall said she was in 'total shock' following a letter from South Norfolk Council, saying she had beaten more than 2,600 people to clinch its top prize. The council designed the competition to thank those people who pay their council tax via direct debit, which saves the authority thousands of pounds in administration costs each year.

More than 400 taxpayers have switched to the payment system since its launch in July.

Ms Royall, along with her sons Daniel, 13, and Chris, 14, arrived at the council's offices to ceremoniously tear up a mocked-up council tax bill.

She said: 'A man in a suit from the council came to the front door and handed me the letter telling me the good news.

'I was in total shock.'

Long Stratton district councillor Alison Thomas said: 'I can't think of anyone more deserving than Stephanie because although there might have been times when she could have found other priorities for that money, she strongly believes she should pay and she set up a direct debit to make sure it happened.'