Lucky prize winner Samantha Bark has won free travel for a year with East Midlands Trains.

Samantha, from Grantham in Lincolnshire, won first prize in a competition launched by the train operator giving its season ticket holders the opportunity to win back the cost of their annual ticket.

Around 1000 passengers entered the competition, which ran throughout December and January.  In addition to Samantha Bark winning back the cost of her annual season ticket between Grantham and Nottingham, five runners up were each awarded a family ticket for travel anywhere on the East Midlands Trains route.

East Midlands Trains presented Samantha Bark with a special cheque for the full cost of her season ticket at Nottingham station.  She commented:  “It’s brilliant, I’ve never won anything before so I can’t believe I’ve actually won. The extra money will be a massive help, thank you East Midlands Trains.

“I find travelling by train between Grantham and Nottingham really convenient and it means that I’m able to relax and read a book on my journey to and from work.”

Neil Micklethwaite, Customer Service & Commercial Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We believe this is the first time a train company has given its season ticket holders the chance to win back the cost of their travel, so it’s been an exciting initiative for us and one that we will be looking to continue.

“We’ve already invested millions of pounds to improve our trains and stations and this all helps to ensure we provide our season ticket holders with value for money. 

“However, it’s always great to give something else back, so we were all really pleased with the interest it generated and it was great to be able to see Samantha’s excitement when we handed over a big cheque for £1,520!”