James Jones (right) and part of the winning syndicate

Lucky Jim's syndicate at Jones Television and Electrical Services in Nantgaredig, Carmarthenshire, has been playing the lottery since it began nearly 10 years ago.

James Jones, who founded the business, set up the syndicate at a thank-you party he threw for staff and tradesmen who had helped extend premises.

He asid each member will bank around �15,000, and while they cannot give up the day job, they are planning a few improvements to their lives.

Mr Jones, 74, who is now retired from the day-to-day running of the business, explained how the syndicate came into being.

"I'd taken everyone involved out for a meal and, as it was the week before the National Lottery was launched, I suggested - or rather insisted - that we form a syndicate there and then.

It was a night to remember and I'm sure half of Nantgaredig was awake by three o'clock Merfyn Thomas

"Ever since we have done 41 lines a week - and never missed a draw," he said.

The syndicate is made up of 26 staff and relatives at the shop.

So far, nobody has made plans to blow the money on extravagant purchases, choosing to double glaze homes or install central heating instead.

However, some will be upgrading their family cars or taking time out on holiday following the unexpected windfall.

Numbers

Syndicate member Merfyn Thomas was the one who broke the news - and as he had already been out celebrating a birthday that evening, he needed somebody else to check he was not seeing imaginary figures.

"I'd been celebrating my 63rd birthday, didn't get home until about two o'clock on the Sunday morning and then decided to check the syndicate numbers," he said.

"I thought I could see we had six correct numbers in one line - it had been a very good night - and asked my daughter to confirm it.

"She did and then I started making a few telephone calls.

"It was a night to remember and I'm sure half of Nantgaredig was awake by three o'clock."

But the �612,958 win has not made the syndicate complacent.

Mr Jones said they would still be playing the lottery, adding: "They want extra lines now."