This year's first prize numbers were from Segovia

Known as El Gordo - The Fat One - the annual lottery is as sacred to Spaniards as the Super Bowl is to Americans.

In keeping with a nearly 200-year-old tradition, the numbers are literally sung out by children from a Madrid elementary school that used to be an orphanage.

The sweepstakes are based on a complex system of number sharing that avoids awarding a jackpot, aiming instead to spread wealth among thousands of people.

Tax-free winnings

The draw, which lasts a marathon three hours, has millions of Spaniards glued to the television. And the winnings are tax free.

Lottery numbers are literally sung out

Traditionally, Spanish tickets are shared so windfalls ripple through towns, offices and homes.

As it turned out on Friday, all the 1,550 coupons bearing this year's first-prize number - 49740 - were sold in Segovia.

One fortunate group was the 40-strong staff of the local traffic police who had teamed up to buy tickets. Each now stands to collect about 30m pesetas.

"We are trying to keep doing our jobs and attend to the public," said spokesman Abilio Sanz.

"But things are a little abnormal here today," said Mr Sanz.

The town was said to be "phenomenally happy" and a run on champagne and the local delicacy of suckling pig was expected.