THE worst week of Iain Atkinson's life ended on a high note - when he won more than £280,000 on the National Lottery.

In the space of a week, Iain was made redundant from his job at Pendle Personnel, Nelson, split up with his girlfriend and went to a friend's funeral.

But he soon cheered up after checking his lottery numbers on Saturday night - and realising he had scooped £280,310.

Iain, 25, said: "I stopped in because it was the first Saturday night I'd had without a job. I was really worrying about money because I had to pay the mortgage and two bank loans and I didn't know where I was going to get the money.

"I watched Match of the Day and checked my numbers at about 10.45pm but it didn't quite sink in for about half an hour. I was just gobsmacked and walking around in a daze, in total disbelief. I didn't know what was going on.

"After that I tried to sleep but I couldn't. I was still trying to believe it!"

Iain, who lives in Steeton, near Keighley, had to spend two sleepless nights until he had his winning ticket verified by Lottery officials in Leeds on Monday. And after going out with friends, he cancelled his official Camelot press conference - because he was still hung over! Iain has been using the same lucky numbers - 23, 26, 27, 47, 49 and the bonus ball 48 - since he started playing the lottery.

But until he bought his winning ticket at a post office in Keighley bus station, he had only pocketed a meagre £10.

Today Nigel Stephenson, director of Pendle Personnel, said everyone there was delighted for Iain.

"We hope that this good fortune will provide him with the platform that he needs to fulfil his ambitions," he said.

"He is a likeable lad and we wish him all the best for the future."

Iain has already splashed out £25,000 on a top of the range Mondeo sports car for himself and a new Landrover for his twin brother Nigel's landscape gardening business.

And staff at his local pub, The Old White Bear, Keighley Road, Cross Keys, joked that his days of borrowing money from the bar were now over.

Barmaid Nicola Dewhirst said: "He was always borrowing money from the till and me but he always paid it back the next day. He'll be lending us it now. Everybody knows Iain, he's a fun person who likes a laugh and he's definitely a ladies' man."

Iain is still single but he is hoping to trace a special mystery lady he knew four years ago so he can share his good fortune with her.

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