A LUCKY Largs couple received a welcome Easter present - after learning they won’t have to pay council tax for a year.

Linda and Alistair Duncan were randomly selected in a competition open to everyone across North Ayrshire signed up to the council’s ebilling service.

The Duncans will now be exempt from paying until March 2019.

The competition was launched earlier this year in a bid to promote ebilling and to encourage people to move away from receiving paper bills.

To enter all people had to do was sign up for ebilling, while those already using the service were automatically entered into the draw.

Linda said: “I simply couldn’t believe it when I was told we had won. We are both absolutely delighted.

“We had previously received paper bills but decided to switch when we spoke to one of the girls on the phone after learning about the option for ebilling on our bill.

“We’re so glad we did. Not only did we win the competition but the ebilling service is really easy to use.

“The older generation can sometimes be put off by computers and doing things online but it’s really straightforward. It makes sense in this day and age. It saves a lot of paper waste.”

Esther Gunn-Stewart, the council's head of service for customer and digital services, said: “Congratulations to Linda and Alistair. As well as making them winners, the competition has allowed us to shine a light on a great service."