Rick Robinson, a 58-year-old army veteran from Street in Somerset, has won £500,000 on the Postcode Lottery. Mr Robinson stated he had "totally forgot" he was still playing the competition and initially believed the call informing him of his win was a joke.
He confirmed his win after checking his bank account for the direct debit. Mr Robinson, who served with the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, won £250,000 on each of his two tickets.
The lottery win occurred weeks after his 170-year-old terraced home was affected by flooding, leading to six weeks of drying out and a significant repair bill. Mr Robinson plans to pay off his mortgage and restore a 1980s caravan with his wife Sharon.
In total, eight winners in Street, including Mr Robinson, shared £2.25 million. Tel Hayes, 77, and his wife Morveen, 81, who live near the Robinsons, won £250,000 and plan to go on a cruise to the Norwegian fjords in October.