MUM-TO-BE Susan Scott has had her Christmas dreams come true.

The 32-year-old, from Wheldrake, near York, was set to miss out on a festive holiday of a lifetime with her husband, Stuart, after pulling out of Saturday's BBC1 programme, The National Lottery Jet Set, because she is expecting a baby.

Contestants on the show battle it out each week for the chance to win a dream holiday in exotic locations around the world.

The lucky winners must then return to compete for another luxury trip, while other competitors try to eliminate them.

Stuart's mother, Liz, replaced Susan on the show and they went on to win a luxury trip to Lyon, in France, which is surrounded by the stunning Alps.

But kind-hearted BBC bosses took pity on Susan and flew her out as well so she could be with Stuart, who is a kitchen manager at York's St John's College.

"I was gutted that I couldn't go, but the health of our baby had to come first," Susan told the Evening Press.

"The show's producers could not insure me to fly on long-haul flights, so I had to pull out.

"After the programme was screened on Saturday night I got a call to say they would fly me out to France to be with Stuart for Christmas.

"It was a fantastic way to spend Christmas and I couldn't have asked for a better present. It was a wonderful gesture."

Susan, who is an accountant in Leeds, watched from a mountain caf as Stuart was given the chance to ski and bobsleigh down the stunning peaks, as well as go on a helicopter ride across the Alps.

But you'll have to wait until Saturday's programme to find out how he gets on in the competition to stay on holiday.

Updated: 13:55 Thursday, December 27, 2001