A THRILLED couple are going on holiday for the first time in 17 years after winning a Daily Echo competition.

Gillian and Rob Green are heading off on a fabulous eight-day cruise and Gillian in particular can’t wait.

“Rob doesn’t do holidays – but now he does” she said. “I knew when I posted the entry that it was going to win. I can’t wait.”

But she admitted that she was sceptical when she received a phone call from Fred Olsen marketing and sales consultant Angela Jiang.

“I thought it was a scam” said Gillian. “I looked up the number for the office and called back to make sure it was genuine.”

The couple, who live in Sandford, Wareham, have two daughters, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild and they said the family are delighted for them.

The Echo joined forces with Fred Olsen Travel and Amadeus River Cruises to give away a full-board Rhine and Danube Symphony cruise.

Departing on September 12, Gillian and Rob will enjoy the expertise and immersive cultural experiences offered by experts Amadeus and will discover the best of Europe’s waterways in comfort and style.

Return flights from London to Cologne are included and the itinerary also includes Rudesheim, Miltenburg, Wertheim, Bamberg, Nuremburg, Regensburg and Passau.

Amadeus sales manager David Chidley said: “River cruising is the next big thing in the travel industry. Because our cruise ships are smaller than many others we can get right into the towns and cities.”

There will be a range of opportunities on board for the lucky winners.

They will travel in style in a large, river-view stateroom with a French balcony.

Complimentary state-of-the-art audio headsets for all excursions and the services of an experienced, multilingual Cruise Director will be available at all times.

Gourmet dining awaits travellers with all meals - buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack - served in the elegant Panorama restaurant, which accommodates all guests in one seating.

Free-flowing quality red and white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions will be on offer, as will beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea with every lunch and dinner on board.