THIRTEEN lucky regulars at a Penarth pub were popping the champagne corks this week after scooping £52,197 on last Saturday"s lotto draw.

The winners - part of the lottery syndicate at the Merrie Harrier pub on Penlan Road in Llandough - will each pocket a £4,015 share of the win.

Roger Philips, of Penarth, who runs the syndicate, said: "We do 13 lines on the Wednesday and Saturday lotteries but this is the first big win we have had."

Pub landlord Charles Anderson, 62, who was busy preparing Sunday lunches when he heard the news, said: "Roger"s face was a picture when we told him - he went white as a sheet."

Charles, who is married to Elaine, 62, and has three children and three grandchildren, plans to spend his share on a trip to the Greek Island of Skiathos this summer, where Elaine"s sister and her husband run a sailing school.

Stephen Crossman, 56, of Shakespeare Avenue, who works for Penarth Gas Services, said: "I know it"s not a life-changing amount but it"s a really nice feeling.

"I had just come in for a pint when I heard the news. I"ve only been in the syndicate for ten months.

"I don"t know how we"ll spend the money but I am sure that my wife will have some plans for it."

Syndicate member Pauline Stevens, of Grangetown, said: "I was on my way home from work when I had the call. I couldn"t believe it."

The winning ticket was bought at the Spar on Glyndwr Road, Penarth and the winning numbers were 4, 8, 16, 23, 28, 47 and bonus ball 34.

The group say they will carry on playing with the same numbers they choose back in 2002.