Ref. 75864-83A LUCKY punter has scooped nearly £35,000 for a 50p each way bet.

Plumber David Minty claimed £34,995 from Ladbrokes, in Cricklade Road, after placing a Lucky 15 bet, which is a total stake of £15.

His scoop is the third big win at the Cricklade Road shop since November.

Mr Minty's accumulator involved 15 bets and it was the last one which really boosted his winnings.

The horse he backed came in at 50-1.

Ladbrokes then added to his impressive haul as it always gives a 10 per cent bonus payment to all Lucky 15 winners.

Mr Minty, 61, of Penhill, said: "This is tremendous.

"I went to my normal Ladbrokes shop and put on my normal bet that I put on every week.

"I just happened to get lucky.

"It is my hobby. I have won a few pounds here and a few pounds there before but nothing like this.

"If you like a bet you have a bet. This is something you dream of."

Mr Minty's biggest win before now had been about £700 which he won just before his son was born 34 years ago.

He watched Saturday's races at home and said he only got really excited when his horse went into the lead in the final race.

"I went a little bit potty," he said. "My wife told me to shut up!

"But when she realised what had happened she was over the moon."

But Mr Minty and his wife Shirley, 62, did not rush out spending the cash on champagne and gloating to their friends.

"We went to my local pub, the Deer's Leap, for a few pints," said Mr Minty.

"Like we do every Satur-day night."

The couple, who have three grown up children, have not yet decided what to spend the cash on.

Mr Minty won his bet after Colourful Life won at 9-1 in the 3.25 at Doncaster, Buckby Lane won at 9-1 in the 3.45 at Cheltenham, Patriarch Express won at 8-1 in the 2.35 at Cheltenham and then Akilak won at 50-1 in the 4.15 also at Cheltenham.

Carol Waugh, 49, the manager of Ladbrokes, in Cricklade Road, said: "He drinks at the same pub as me so I'm expecting a drink when I next go in.

"We've now had two big wins in two months so we must be the luckiest shop around.

"Let's hope we get even more punters in now."

In December Andrew Banyard won £28,000 on the horses at the same bookmakers just a week after he scooped more than £40,000 from another bet. Andrew, 43, who lives near Highworth and works for the AA, won £40,000 after all six of the horses that he bet on won.

Gareth Bethell