BLACKPOOL nitespot Brannigan's is expecting capacity crowds of women this summer - all hoping to snare £10.9 million lottery winner Karl Crompton.

The 23-year-old Cleveleys salesman, who counts Saturday nights at the town centre venue among his favourite pursuits, scooped half the £21,806,396 roll-over jackpot in this week's draw.

Britain's most eligible bachelor is now expected to upset the balance of the sexes at Brannigan's, which is gearing up to welcome scores of women vying for the multi-millionaire's attentions.

Karl, who lives on Stanley Avenue, Cleveleys, with mum Patricia and dad, Keith, hit the big time with 6, 25, 26, 33, 34 and 47.

He said: "When I saw my numbers written down I thought mum and dad were having a joke. It wasn't until I checked Teletext that I realised I'd hit the jackpot."

He has already swopped his Toyota Celica for a Ducati 916 motorcycle and his dream car, a Porsche Carrerra 911, and left the Fylde this week for a sunshine holiday with his friends.

On his return, he plans to keep his job at the Squires Gate branch of Comet while he plans a rosy future.

He says he has never had a long-term girlfriend, but his mum has vowed to protect her son from gold-diggers.

In the meantime, ex-girlfriend Jane Swindells has been left counting the cost of splitting up with Karl 18 months ago.

Jane, 22, who works as an air stewardess, said: "This is just my luck! He's now one of the world's most eligible bachelors and I'm still single!"

In August 1992, Karl was jailed for nine months when he was convicted of wounding his friend Jason Edwards in a pub brawl at the New Anchor in Cleveleys.

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