The winner of the Times Guardian’s £250 Christmas giveaway competition has been picked by a special guest to our offices.

To add to the festive theme of the contest, we brought in top Island moggie Santa Paws to choose the winner.

We asked readers to answer the question: Which special anniversary did the Times Guardian

celebrate this year?

All returned forms with the correct answer of 150th, were placed on the floor for Santa Paws to choose his winner. In total, we had 164 entrants.

After taking some time to paws for thought, he placed his mark on a voting form sent in by Vanessa Wilson, of Appleford Drive.

She was delighted to win the award, saying: “I cannot believe I have won; I enter lots of competitions and my friends and family already think I’m a jammy cow.”

The 38-year-old mum of one has won numerous competitions in newspapers and magazines and even appeared on ITV’s Supermarket Sweep with Dale Winton last year.

She added: “I didn’t expect to win, but I haven’t done any shopping yet and won’t really have to now.”

Editor Matt Ramsden said: “Congratulations to Vanessa on winning the goodies – I am sure she will have a very merry Christmas. Thanks to all the sponsors who donated great prizes as well – the support has been brilliant.”

As for Santa Paws, he had a great tail to tell his friends.

For full story see this week's Times Guardian