Bideford resident, Eric Wilson, 70, was one of two players who successfully matched five numbers and the bonus ball in the UK Lotto drawing on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. His lucky numbers secured him a £94,340 prize, but Eric was due to start his holiday the following day so he decided to put-off contacting the lottery until he returned from his four-day-break.
"When I told a friend that even though I’d won the Lottery, I was still planning to go away and leave the ticket in a safe place, he said, ‘But what if the flat burns down?’, that’s why I put it in the tin," Eric explained.
Eric may not have let winning the lottery interfere with his holiday plans, but he admitted landing such a big win still came as a shock.
"The first thing I did was call my lady friend, Pat, and told her to come over straight away," Eric said, "she thought I was having a heart attack and couldn’t believe it when I told her what had happened."
Eric has already shared the good news with his two children and although he hasn't got around to celebrating yet he has treated himself to a second hand Peugeot 508 and said he may go away for a 'special trip' at the end of summer.
"This win really is just the icing on the cake for me, it means that I can enjoy my retirement without worrying about money," Eric said.
