Lotto joy for factory workers

A 10-strong syndicate from a Telford factory was celebrating today after scooping more than £85,000 on the National Lottery.

The workers, from QI Van Systems, Stafford Park 18, matched five balls and the bonus on Saturday, to share the £85,072 prize.

The 10 - Pete Day, John Bessant, Pete Seager, 66, John Keegan, Dennis Tranter, Steve Walker, Brian Bailey, 59, Dave Taylor, 56, all of Telford, Fred Griffiths, 63, and Garth Hayward, both of Broseley, - have been in the syndicate for just under a year.

But, despite the cash windfall, eight of them were back at work today, while the other two are on holiday.

They all pick a line each week and it was Mr Day's numbers which matched 4, 15, 25, 27, 33 and bonus ball 20.

Mr Day, who organises the syndicate, did not get the chance to check the numbers until Sunday because he was watching the rugby World Cup and struggled to find anyone who would believe him to start with.

The 38-year-old, of St Georges, said: "I can't believe it. It's a nice amount of money. It isn't life-changing but allows me to go out and buy some of the things I have saved for."

Electrician John Keegan, 27, of Stirchley, said the win had come at the right time for him as he was going on holiday to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks.