A FARNHAM woman has won herself £16,000 after battling it out for first spot on ITV’s Cash Trapped, a British game show in which contestants fight it out to win prize money by answering questions.

Valerie Marshall, couldn’t believe her luck following her win on the game show. She said: “It was pretty amazing, absolutely astounding. I am very good at coming second but not first.

“The people on my team were just the loveliest people, we have even planned a reunion. They are great friends and great fun.”

According to Valerie there was some really tricky questions, such as ‘what’s the name of the gap in your two front teeth? Which of course is diastema.

“I didn’t expect to win, you go in happy but no I didn’t expect to win. You are so intensely involved in the game, and when you are in the box, there is no way you can think of strategies, unless you are very clever.

“The simple reason I went on was because I had to leave my job as a medical secretary two years ago because of my husband’s health. This money is for us to live,.”

Throughout her time in the area, Valerie has been constantly involved in something, whether it be a compere or marshal at Hale and Farnham Carnivals, or creating a band at the local pub, where she helped to raise £1,300 just from one night, she’s always willing to help.

She also took part in a Strictly Come Dancing event, which raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

Her son Christian Paine said: “She used to do a lot for the community in Upper Hale before her partner became ill with Parkinson’s.

“She is such a great woman who will do anything she can to help someone and never asks for anything in return.”

To celebrate Valerie has decided to whisk her family away to Egypt for a much-needed holiday.