A lucky player from Cornwall has to thank his bad memory for a double share of a £2.5 million lotto jackpot. Derek Ladner, 59, became the first person in the UK to win twice in the same lotto draw when he purchased a ticket after forgetting he had already bought one.

Delivery driver Mr. Ladner and his wife Dawn, 60, were more than happy to receive a cheque for £958,284 this week. Two days after the draw, he claimed his prize of £479,142 and only a week later he remembered that he had bought another lotto ticket with the same winning numbers: 3, 9, 10, 12, 46 and 47.

Mr Ladner had a tough job convincing his wife they had scooped the jackpot twice. “I just couldn't believe it - I kept telling him he'd got it wrong and to check it again,” Mrs. Ladner explained. She also said they plan to have a holiday during which they will think about the best way to spend the money.

“It must have been a huge and happy surprise,” a Camelot spokesman said. “We congratulate the lucky winners.” Mr. Ladner plans to stop working and spend more time practicing his favorite hobby: bowling. He assured they will continue playing lottery, with the same numbers.