A security guard from Dudley is celebrating after winning the £250,000 top prize on The National Lottery’s 'Multiplier Orange' scratch card.

And, as if winning a life-changing amount isn’t enough, on the same day he went on a first date having waited until the lockdown rules allowed for a trip to pubs and restaurants. Twenty-two-year-old Luke Ashman said:

“I had the day off work and even though I was supposed to go food shopping I fell asleep on the sofa. When I woke, I dashed to the supermarket because not only had I got to get the groceries, I had my first proper date that evening with a girl I’d recently started seeing.

“Even after my daytime nap, I was still tired, so I bought myself an energy drink and while at the counter I bought a couple of National Lottery scratch cards.”

“I scratched one with no luck. I then tried the second and scratched a diamond, then a win symbol - I saw £250,000 but wasn’t sure whether it was a full stop or a comma. When I double checked and saw the amount and I had won the top prize my heart was thumping and I literally started to shake.

“I somehow drove home, stumbled along the drive, opened the front door and started to shout out to whoever was home. I was met by my Mum who was worried having heard me call out, thinking I had been in an accident.

“We checked over the scratch card together before I then called The National Lottery to check if I had won and that I was £250,000 richer. I immediately called my Dad and messaged my three brothers with my amazing news.”

And after all of the excitement Luke had to focus on his first proper date with his girlfriend. He added:

“She didn’t believe me at first until I showed her the winning scratch card. That night we went out for a meal, I ordered a bottle of Prosecco and we celebrated an amazing day of both a lottery win and a first date. You could say I’d won twice in one day.”

Luke currently works as a Loss Prevention Officer at TK Maxx. Having been furloughed at times throughout the last year, he juggles the job with his studies as a final year criminology degree student at the University of Worcester. He has a long-term plan for the money but first wants to treat himself to a new car.

Having spent time working at Camp America and travelling across the USA, he wants the American muscle car, a Ford Mustang. The rest of his winnings will go towards setting up his own property development business. When not studying or working Luke enjoys playing snooker and tennis, and is a qualified football referee.