AS investments go this one has proved to be more than gilt-edged.

A Hampshire man who invested £30,000 in premium bonds just four months ago has received a massive return of more than 3,300 per cent on his money after scooping the £1m jackpot.

The winner, whose name has so far not been revealed, has become Ernie the computer's 177th Premium Bond Millionaire.

The mystery man has become the second quickest jackpot winner on record and has also put himself in the reckoning for the most profitable investment ever made.

The National Savings Premium Bond scheme allows UK residents to invest up to £30,000 in tax-free bonds, with each bond then entered into a monthly million pound jackpot draw.

According to financial advisors the bonds are one of the safest ways to invest money and of course the chance to win big money prizes through the monthly draw. Unlike the National Lottery, where you buy a ticket for £1 for each draw, with premium bonds your number gets automatically re-entered into the prize draw every month and you still get to keep the £1.

Barry Newton, a senior financial Planner at Southampton's Worldwide Financial Planning, said: "It's a cracking investment and just goes to show what can happen if you buy premium bonds.

"You stand a greater chance of winning money if you buy a whole block of bonds at the same time - as this man has done - and even if you don't win the jackpot, the return on this £30,000 would still be close to £1,000 a year which is still a healthy amount.

"Certainly, there's no other investment around where you could turn £30,000 into £1m in just four months so its got to be one of the most profitable investments ever made."