A lady from the south-west of England won £47,000 at Gala Bingo recently – but her success came with a little help from her friend.

Susan Williams was the lucky lady to take the top prize at the company’s High 5 game, but it was pal Sue Guppy who was talking her through every step.

The help was needed as Ms Williams had never played before, which arguably makes her windfall all the more remarkable.

According to the South Devon Herald Express, Ms Guppy was the player who realised that the jackpot had been won.

“Because I had never played before, Sue was looking after me. It’s such a fast game,” said Ms Williams. “Sue’s hand went up even before mine.”

She added that her initial thoughts were that she had won £5,000, but it emerged the jackpot was a lot more than that.

Indeed, the successful player revealed that she “went a bit peculiar” when she realised the extent of her prize.

Mecca Bingo reported that a 77-year-old female from South Shields picked up £28,000 at one of its clubs in September.