The last thing Simon Bridgford-Whittick won was a Meccano set in 1977 in a TV Times competition. So you could say he was a bit surprised when a call from local company, Melksham Tyre Supplies, said he was the lucky winner of a new Peugeot 107 car.

“I thought it was a joke,” said Simon, “and my wife still can’t believe it. It was a complete shock.”

Simon was picked out of a hat to win the car in the Melksham Tyres’ anniversary draw to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Any customer who bought two Avon tyres in April, May or June was entered into the draw.

Simon’s name was picked by Melksham Tyre’s last customer of the day on June 30.

“We thought we would do something special to celebrate our 50th anniversary,” said James Love, who now runs the business set up by his father Colin.

“We wanted something that would make a bit of an impact!

“It was great that the prize went to a Melksham person who has been a good customer of ours for 20 years or more.”

The family-run firm is based on Station Approach, next to the town’s railway station.

It was set up by Colin in 1964 when he saw the need for a retail tyre store in Melksham to sell Avon Tyres which were manufactured – but not sold – in the town.

Melksham Tyre Supplies was born and the business is still going strong today.

James joined the company in 1998 when he was still a teenager and took over the day-to-day running of the business 16 years ago.

Colin still works three days a week, with James’ mum, Jackie, doing the accounts in what is still very much a family business.

“My dad started the company after working at the then Avon Tyres plant, now Cooper Tires,” James said.

“He realised that, although there were plenty of local people making the tyres, there wasn’t anyone locally selling them.

“We still retain strong links with Cooper and Avon Tyres and can source a huge range of tyres – from a Fiesta to a Ferrari – with same-day availability,” added James.