A PRIZE tractor completely rebuilt in a 24-hour fundraising challenge by engineering students at Bicton College has been won by Throwleigh resident Linda Brough.

So delighted was Linda with her win in the raffle for charity BOAT that she decided to donate £500 back to the cause.

Linda and the ?Little Red Tractor? met for the first time at Bicton College last week where she was presented with the keys by South West Director of the National Farmers? Union Anthony Gibson.

Her winning ticket, bought at Okehampton Show back in August, was picked from the 7,000 which were sold, and Linda said she was stunned when she received the telephone call to say she had won.

?I thought it was a wind-up to start with but after I was told for the third time I just went yee-ha,? she said.

?This tractor is really something special and I wanted to give something back to the charity to show my appreciation.?

Because it is so special Linda has decided to put the red tractor in the safe keeping of her neighbour who has a previous edition model and wants to start a collection of old tractors, showing them at local agricultural shows.

?This way I will still be able to see and have a ride on the tractor whenever I want and I know it will be looked after well,? she said.

?My partner has several cars which he has been working on for years and we really do not have space for the tractor.?

The charity BOAT was formed 12 years ago by Devon farmers to provide training to people from developing countries who would return and pass those skills on.

Participants from countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, The Gambia, Nigeria and China, spend part of their time on family farms to develop their practical skills and attend specifically designed courses at Bicton College.

Over a 24-hour period back in April a team of 32 engineering students carried out a complete rebuild of a 1972 Massy Ferguson 135 tractor for the Devon Air Ambulance.

The refurbished little red tractor then became the main prize in a raffle raising funds for BOAT and visited many agricultural shows in the summer.

Chairman of BOAT Bill Vellacott MBE said: ?I cannot thank everyone enough for this incredible effort ? from Bicton governors donating the tractor, the staff and engineering students, the suppliers, ticket sellers and everyone who bought tickets.

?Linda?s generous gift is the icing on the cake which will be used to open the ?Edward Makolo? Memorial Fund.?

Edward, from Nigeria, received training in Devon in 2000 and returned to his country to work with some 2,400 smallholder farmers within his project.

?Shortly after hearing how much benefit his visit had been to the project we heard of his tragic death in an accident,? said Mr Vellacott.

?Edward made a great impact on everyone he met while here and BOAT has decided to provide training to his successor next year.