JILL Lowdell isn't used to winning.

In fact, before last Monday, the last prize she won was a David Cassidy album from Jackie magazine when she was 14.

Now that she's been crowned the winner of our New Year New You competition, Jill, of Kimberley Road, Little Wakering, could soon be feeling like a teenager again.

The contest, organised by Saks Hair and Beauty at the David Lloyd Leisure Centre, Basildon, offered one reader the chance to turn back the years and undergo a dramatic transformation. The prize, worth £5,800, includes fitness and nutrition training and a whole host of hair and beauty treatments.

Jill, 49, was picked from our nine finalists last Monday by a panel of judges that included Jennifer Coles of Saks Hair and Beauty, the Echo's Jan Griffin, Tracy Gale, general manager of David Lloyd, permanent make-up artist Ashlene McCormack and Phillip Davies from beauty specialists Collagenics.

"The reason we chose Jill is because she has got to a stage in her life where she's become a grandma, she's working, and she needs to do something for her," explains judge Jan Griffin.

"We felt she was serious about wanting to make changes to her life and everyone on the panel felt there was something they could do for her."

"It was a tough decision," Jan continues. "There were a lot of people who deserved to win but hopefully we've found somebody who will benefit greatly from the prize."

With her 50th birthday looming in June, Jill put herself forward for the contest.

"I'm desperate," she told us before the final. "The prize just sounded fabulous. Exactly what I need to start my 50th year."

Jill, who has three sons and three grandchildren, works three days a week as an education welfare officer and spends the other two days looking after two of her grandchildren.

She only got back from her holiday in the early hours of the day of the final, and says even then she couldn't sleep because she was so nervous.

"It was like going for a job interview," she said on the say. "I've had two job interviews lately, and the feelings were exactly the same.

Asked if she'd got either of them, she laughed: "No, but maybe this will be third time lucky."

It certainly was. Jill was visibly shocked when the result was announced, drawing her hands to her face in amazement.

"I can't believe it," she said while grinning from ear to ear. "I'm just amazed. I'm looking forward to getting started now and looking forward even more to the end bit."

We will be bringing you regular updates on how Jill is getting on with her new health and beauty regime, then in three months time when it's all done we'll reveal her new look.

JILL'S PRIZE: * Three months membership to David Lloyd with weight loss programme and personal training sessions * Racoon hair extensions * Elemis tri-enzyme facial, ocean spa wrap and full body massage * Caci - non surgical facelift *Collagenics clinic - Collagenics offer facial contouring, lip enhancement and other popular injectable procedures.

* Capital Dental teeth whitening and maintenance kit * Hair colour including highlights with a cut and finish * Permanent make up * IPL thread vein treatment * Permanent hair reduction * Nail infills and enhancement * Leg wax, eyelash tint, eyebrow shape and Visible Brilliance facial * Fake tan The eight runners up were all given a goody bag packed full of vouchers and samples including a month's free membership at David Lloyd.