A farmworker from Braintree who is facing redundancy has been handed a lifeline by winning a £70,000 tractor.

Neill Cowie, 35, from Beatty Gardens, is to lose his job at the 216-acre Mill Farms at Stisted where he has worked for a number of years. The farm and its herd of 100 dairy cows are up for sale.

Mr Cowie won the JCB Fastrac tractor after buying a charity raffle ticket for £15.

"A Christmas that had looked like it was going to be very bleak has now changed. It is the best Christmas present ever," said Mr Cowie.

He added: "I knew about the Fastrac first prize, but I didn't think for one moment that I would win it. I just wanted to give money to a good cause. When the phone call came I was absolutely stunned. It still hasn't sunk in yet.

"The best thing about winning the Fastrac is that despite losing my job, I can now set up my own contracting business. I'm over the moon."

Mr Cowie and his wife, Stephanie, 39, have two children Michael, 13, and Sam, four.

JCB launched the competition through the magazine, Farmers Weekly, in a bid to raise £1 million for the NSPCC.

The giant raffle has helped contribute £33,723 towards the appeal which has now reached a total of more than £600,000.

Guy Robinson, managing director of JCB Landpower, said: "We are delighted, not only to have raised £33,723 for the NSPCC, but also that the Fastrac has gone to Mr Cowie who will clearly make good use of it.

''We wish him every success with his new business."

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