Her £500 prize in shopping vouchers, provided by Dorset View’s owner, Pulford Publicity Ltd, will be spent at businesses in Christchurch that participated in the magazine’s March competition.

Karen has lived in the town since she was eight and has the community at her heart. The mother of three is an operations manager at the electrical retailer Currys where she’s worked for 10 years. She’s also worked in local primary schools.

Both Karen and her husband Rodney support the community and Rodney was a retained fire fighter at Christchurch Fire Station for a number of years.

Karen hasn’t won a competition before, but recently took part in a Currys’ initiative. “I put forward Christchurch Food Bank and Christchurch Soup Kitchen for ‘Give Back with Grundig’ and both charities were chosen to receive a large white goods appliance which was thrilling.”

On receiving her £500 shopping prize from Ben Pulford, Pulford Publicity’s managing director, Karen said, “I always try and make time to read Dorset View, which is delivered, to keep in touch with the local community and see what’s going on locally.

“I am so excited to have won this competition and more so to be able to support local businesses that I use regularly especially with the current economic climate.”

Paul Hilliam, manager of Stewarts Christchurch where the presentation took place, said, “We are delighted that Karen has chosen Stewarts for her big spend.”

The vouchers were split as follows: £250 Stewarts, £50 Soho, £50 Tony Hairdressing, £50 Mathews Shoes, £50 Highcliffe Coach Holidays, and £50 The Emporium.