THIS lucky pensioner from Southampton today picked up £4,000 in a bumper Find the Ball payout.

Ron Toomer, 68, pictured right, was one of three runners-up to receive a share of the Daily Echo competition prize fund after the jackpot totted up to £50,000.

Normally, one runner-up receives about £2,000 to £3,000 - but this week, as no one won the jackpot prize, £24,000 was shared out between the three closest to the ball.

Mr Toomer, a semi-retired joiner from Ripstone Gardens, Highfield, said: "It's fantastic. I've always dreamed of winning something like this.

"I have been playing Find the Ball for about five years and last month I won £15, but I've had nothing as big as this before."

Meanwhile Totton civil engineer John Cooper, 62, scooped a massive £12,000 after entering last week's competition.

Champagne corks were popping in Boniface Close, Totton, as 57-year-old Jean Cooper celebrated her husband's winnings.

She said: "Only last week he won £15. It's strange because we thought he had won more and when we realised he

hadn't we said it would

happen next week - and it has!"

She said they would spend the cash on a holiday - as well as their new baby grandson, due in three weeks' time.

The third lucky winner was self-employed translator Jonathon Mentern, 48, who scooped £8,000.

To be in with a chance of winning a cash prize, don't forget to pick up your copy of the Southern Daily Echo.

The jackpot for next week is set at £26,000, following this week's big payout, and the runner-up prize stands at £1,800.

Find the Ball appears in four Newsquest titles each week.

Last year more than £279,000 was paid out in prize money.