Dave Hudson is £4,000 richer - thanks to his date of birth.

The retired painter and decorator, above, of Paradise Street, Oxford, was celebrating his win and his 68th birthday today.

He was born on November 5, 1933, and the numbers 5, 11, 19 and 33 came up trumps on a £1 bet he placed with River Racing in Park End Street, Oxford, on the Irish National Lottery.

Mr Hudson has been placing the bet with the same numbers every week for two years and this is his first big win.

He said: "I'm very happy. The money is in the bank and I'll spend it as I need to. It'll boost my pension a bit."

River Racing director Steve Jones said: "The Irish lottery is a popular bet as it has fixed odds of 4,100 to one."

Mr Hudson said he planned to stick with his lucky numbers and would continue to place the same bet regularly.