THE winner of a giveaway was in 'complete shock' after winning a luxury lodge in the Lake District and a BMW M3 Touring car. 

James Duncan, who lives in Aberdeen, won the prizes on Sunday, September 29 after entering the competition which was being run by Dream Car Giveaways. 

Thanks to a number of raffle tickets James was the recipient of a Lake District lodge in Ullswater Heights, near Penrith, and the brand new BMW M3. 

(Image: Dream Car Giveaways) However, James was also given the opportunity to exchange his prizes for £235,000 in tax-free cash.

After the 'unexpected' news that he had won the giveaway, James explained how he made his decision on which prize to claim.

He said: "Winning these two amazing prizes, as you can imagine if it ever happens to you, was completely unexpected.

"The feelings that followed, as the good news sunk in, was trying to work out my options, and so followed a couple of sleepless nights.

"I didn’t go to bed until after 3 am, thinking about my options.

"My family added to my difficulty in deciding, with some saying, 'take the car', and others excited about having a lodge in the Lake District.

(Image: Dream Car Giveaways) "In the end, I decided to take the cash alternative of £235,000 as I wanted to be in the position to help my children get onto the property ladder.

"I’m sure there will be a few holiday destinations that will be knocked off the 'bucket list' too.

"Thanks again to the Dream Car Giveaways team, they were brilliant to deal with."

A spokesperson for Dream Car Giveaways added: "On September 29 James Duncan was the extremely lucky player who received the phone call to say he had won the Luxury Lodge in the Lake District and M3 Touring with just 25 tickets, costing him less than £20.

"He was in complete shock during the phone call and couldn't believe what an astonishing prize he had just won.

(Image: Dream Car Giveaways) "We sent Simon Bucknell and Nathan Aston all the way up to James's home in Aberdeen to see what James had decided, whether he was taking both the incredible prizes or a life-changing cash alternative of £235,000 Tax-Free Cash.

"After a long discussion, James decided he was going to take the cash alternative, £235,000.

"This was due to it being the sensible choice as he wanted to help his children with their first properties, although he definitely thought about keeping the stunning Luxury Lodge in the Lake District."