LUCKY punter Lawrence Brown staked just 50p on the Grand national – and walked away with a cool £9,000.
Lawrence, landlord of the popular Gamekeeper Inn at Five Acres, put his money on the first three horses in a Tote combination trifecta.
"I just went by the race card and one of the jockeys in the paper I read, Norman Williamson, told who he thought would make the first four – he was right with three of them, Papillon, Mely Moss and Niki Dee," he said.
Holiday
"I'm over the moon – I never dreamed I would win so much for just 50p. I haven't decided what to do yet. Obviously I'm still thinking about it. But my wife thinks we ought to use some of it for a holiday."
Lawrence, who has been running the Gamekeeper for about five years with his wife Clare, just popped in to the Lydney branch of James Bookmakers to get a bet on for the National.
Gamble
"I don't gamble much as a rule, and I didn't stay on in the bookies to watch the race – I have a business to run. We saw it on the television.
"When we learned how much we won there was obviously a bit of celebrating on the Saturday night in the pub."
Treat
The Browns have three boys, Kurt, Harry and Scott, who should also be in line for a bit of a treat from dad!
Managing director of the James Bookmakers chain Martin James said he was "very happy" one of his customers had won so much for such a small stake.
"It's marvellous. We will be getting the money through from the Tote and there will be a special presentation for Lawrence."