Local business owners Steve and Wendy Ivins are the winners of the fabulous trip to New York in the free prize draw run by Love Bedford.

The couple from Putnoe are both celebrating their 50th birthdays and their 25th wedding anniversary and the prize is a great consolation after they suffered at the hands of a “builder from hell” this year.

“We are absolutely thrilled, we love Bedford and as local business owners try to support the shops in town,” said Wendy, mum of three, who with her identical twin sister will be a familiar face after their careers in local newspaper advertising.

She and Steve have two shops selling car parts: PDM Motor Spares off St John’s Street in Kempston and PDM Car Parts & Accessories in Clapham.

“We’re an independent family business who can beat Halfords on price and service - so we’re very glad to meet up and make friends with Global Travel Experts who are independents too,” Steve.

Pictured making the arrangements for the holiday at Steve and Wendy with Meherwan Bozorgi, Managing Director, Global Travel Experts 9, Ram Yard in the Castle Quay area, and Christina Rowe, Director of BedfordBID which markets the town under the Love Bedford banner.

Said Meherwan: “Having moved to Bedford some years back, we want to be part of a community that helps each other and supports town centre businesses. The Love Bedford activity is backing independents like ourselves so we work with others to keep customers coming back not only for ourselves but also for the whole town. We are looking forward to helping Steve and Wendy have a wonderful and memorable trip.

“Despite misconceptions, booking online is not always cheaper than going through a specialist agent like ourselves. We hope that our friendly service, fantastic prices, financial protection and professional guidance helps customers enjoy the process of us arranging their travel”

Nearly 5,000 entries were made to the free prize draw from people in and around Bedford and at the Bedford River Festival - the promotion being designed to encourage people to Love Bedford.