Ref. 30835-43PENSIONER John Lucas will be sampling Portuguese delicacies and feeling sand between his toes next week, thanks to the Evening Advertiser.

Mr Lucas, 74, of Hythe Road in Old Town, will jet off to the sun-soaked country with wife Ann, 59, on Thursday after being named the winner of our fantastic competition.

With Euro 2004 kicking off tomorrow, tourists will be hard pushed to find space in Portugal.

But the Adver, in conjunction with travel firm Your Sporting Challenge, has secured seven nights in top accommodation in Albufeira one of Portugal's most scenic regions.

While there, they will be able to soak in the carnival atmosphere of the tournament.

Mr Lucas, who has two grown up children, said: "I am absolutely over the moon. It's a lovely country."

To be in with a chance of winning the holiday, worth £1,000, readers had to answer a football-question. The winner was picked at random.

Kevin Shoesmith