Double Lotto winner retires to island

Mike McDermott hopes to win for a third time

An electrician is retiring to an African island after winning the national lottery a second time with the same numbers.

Mike McDermott, 51, of Gosport, Hampshire, first won £194,501 on the Lotto in June by matching five of his numbers and the bonus ball.

On Saturday he won another £121,157 by again matching five numbers and the bonus ball with the same numbers - 15, 16, 18, 36, 49 and 28.

Mr McDermott, now plans to retire with his wife to the Island of Kerkenah, off Tunisia, where they have bought a house.

People say that things always come in threes so I will definitely be keeping my numbers, I now believe that anything is possible

Mike McDermott

Mr McDermott, who has two children, Dominic, 21, and Danielle, 23, said: "I was ecstatic when I discovered I had won in June but this time I really am in disbelief.

"We really can't believe our incredible luck.

"We thought that winning twice with the same numbers would be simply impossible but, obviously, it really can happen as it's happened to us.

"People say that things always come in threes so I will definitely be keeping my numbers, I now believe that anything is possible."

Mr McDermott said his dream home in Tunisia would soon be completed thanks to the first Lotto win, while the second win meant he and his wife could retire there in the New Year.