Betfred Big Winner: Recent retiree pockets £48k on the Irish Lotto

Ice cream man Michael Rossi is in the lolly after winning £48,000 from a £6 wager at Betfred.

It was perfect timing for grandad Michael, who placed his accumulator bet on the Irish Lotto at his local Betfred shop at Peel Square, Barnsley, in retirement after being forced to give up his long-established ice cream round following an accident in the gym last year.

He hit the jackpot when his four regular numbers based around family birthdays were all drawn a few days before his own.

Lottery Betting at Betfred

The 67-year-old father-of-two, a popular customer in Yorkshire, said: "This win could not have come at a better time... it's just brilliant."

He went on: "In August last year I was on the treadmill at the gym and suffered a cardiac arrest and all I can remember is coming round and the paramedics working on me.

"I must have seriously hurt myself when I fell because I have injured my vertebrae, lost some feeling in my hands and because I can't move up and down in the van the same as I used to I had to give up my ice cream round.

"I had been working the same round for over 50 years, starting out helping my own father when I was at school. If I could manage it I'd be back on the round tomorrow because I really enjoyed my work.

"We'll be having a family party to celebrate the win and then I will be sorting out a holiday, probably in Rhodes. We have family in a village in the Monte Cassino area of Italy so we'll also get to visit them."

Michael added: "With me not being able to sell ice cream on the round anymore the money will come in very handy in retirement.

"I just have a small go at Betfred every week with any spare change and this happened... £48,000 from a £6 bet."

Betfred boss Fred Done said:

"I'm delighted to help regular customer Michael try to put the disappointment of having to give up his ice cream round behind him with a nice holiday and a decent retirement nest egg...and all just in time for his birthday!"