National win from beyond the grave

For one family last weekend's Grand National was more than just a race - it was the fulfilment of a wish from beyond the grave.Skip related content

Danny Shea, 66, a passionate horse racing fan, died from cancer five months ago.

But knowing he would never see this years race he left his family a "tip" and £250 to place the bet.

The Shea family, from Eston in Middlesbrough, scooped £20,000 after carrying out he dying wish and backing 100-1 outsider Mon Mome.

His wife of 40 years, Pat, 63, she "couldn't believe" her husband had managed to pick the winner.

"He was generally pretty useless at picking winners. He didn't have much of a clue though he liked a bet. The best we hoped for was a place," she said.

"I have to say I thought 'what a waste of money'. But it's what Danny wanted."

Pat's brother Pete laid a complicated combination of spread bets with Mr Shea allocating £20 for each punter except Pat who had £60.

Mr Shea's betting winners were wife Pat, son Martin, daughter Lesley, sisters Pat and Gloria, brother-in-law Pete, and friends Eddie, Freddie, Tommy, Rod and Kelly.