DIANE Johnson could not believe her luck when a prize draw for top employees brought her a new Mini One car.

Ex-Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker pulled her name from the hat – and, Vroom Vroom, the car was hers.

The draw, which took place at an awards ceremony at Leeds Castle, was organised by debt purchase business Cabot Financial, based at Kings Hill, to celebrate its success.

Last year, the company, formed in 1998, grew its customer base by 30 per cent to 1.3 million.

Ms Johnson, a collection account officer, won the Mini One and Kerry Evans, payment processing accounts clerk, won a £3,000 holiday.

Ken Maynard, Cabot’s chief executive, said: "Our people are our most valuable asset and their hard work and commitment has played a huge part in our continued success.

"We believe that the annual awards, now in their fifth year, are an important way to recognise the contribution individual employees have made to our continued growth."

Barclays Private Equity is its principal investor, in Cabot, alongside Vision Capital and Cabot’s management team.

The company won an accolade in last year’s Kent Business Awards.