A British chef is now at the top table enjoying a whopping £2,6m serving of the jackpot - after he matched all six numbers in last Saturday's lottery draw.

Herbert Plant, 49, works as a chef at St Paul's Hospice for the homeless in Blackpole, Worcester, and is divorced with two sons, one of whom - Richard, 24 - discovered his father's win on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Plant said: "It was a normal relaxing Sunday afternoon. My eldest son, Richard, was running a few errands for me at the local shop and I asked him if he would check my Lotto tickets at the same time.

"He was gone over an hour so I started to worry but moments later he ran into the house shouting at the top of his voice, 'you've won, you've won!'

Herbert Plant: "He ran into the house shouting at the top of his voice, 'You've won, you've won'."

"I told him to calm down and tell me what was going on and that's when he showed me the lottery tickets and explained I'd matched six numbers.

"I couldn't believe it! We immediately checked Teletext and then called Camelot. We then decided to get everyone together for a drink and had a very different Sunday night, celebrating the win!"

Mr Plant hopes to continue working at the hospice as he enjoys his job and is still wondering what to spend his winnings on - but with £2.6m in the bank, he has plenty of food for thought!

He plans to pay off Richard's mortgage, buy his second son, Jamie, 21, a house and then treat himself to a holiday. As a keen Leeds United fan, Herbert is also planning a trip up to Elland Road.

Mr Plant added: "It's been so surreal. I've played the lottery since it started and have only won a few tenners. But my youngest son Jamie did say he thought it was going to be a lucky weekend. I asked him what he meant, but he just couldn't describe his feelings although I'm very glad they have come true."

Mr Plant said he played the lottery by Lucky Dip, which came up with the winning numbers of 15, 20, 22, 34, 37 and 39.