FISHERMAN Gary Marland was celebrating his biggest ever catch today after netting a bumper £54,519 lottery win. Gary, 42, from Lowton, who bought his ticket at a filling station on the East Lancs Road, won a share of the jackpot with 42 other winners.

A partner in Swinton-based Lewmar Fencing, Gary said he was full of nerves when he checked his numbers last Sunday morning.

"I must have tried phoning at least 40 times from 7.30am until the office opened at 9am. I got through about 20 seconds before it opened," said big Gary, who previous biggest catch was a 26lb pike! His first reaction was to tell his business partner John Lewis. The two set-up shop in 1987 supplying fences to councils and schools nationwide.

"I bought butties for all the lads at work on Monday and there's champagne for them when we finish work," said big-hearted John. And how will he spend his cash? "Well, I'll be speaking to an advisor because I have been thinking of upping my pension and a holiday in Denmark may be in the pipeline for later in the year."