A DRAIN worker who staked the contents of his pockets – only 40p - on the races has been celebrating a staggering windfall of nearly £55,500.Brian Smith, who lives in Lowestoft, placed the bet on a 20p each way six-race accumulator at the Ladbrokes shop in the town's London Road.

A DRAIN worker who staked the contents of his pockets - only 40p - on the races has been celebrating a staggering windfall of nearly £55,500.

Brian Smith, who lives in Lowestoft, placed the bet on a 20p each way six-race accumulator at the Ladbrokes shop in the town's London Road.

The father-of-four, who works as a drain cleaner for Waveney District Council, has been betting since he was 18 and visited the shop every day.

He said: "I hadn't had a win in three months but that is why I kept trying. My biggest win before this was £5,200 on a Lucky 15 five years ago. I thought my time would never come.

"I made my selections in three minutes, I hadn't been very well so I didn't feel like looking too much into the form.

"I randomly picked the horses, willy nilly, and put the money in my pocket down on them. I scrabbled around in my pocket and could only find 40p so that had to do.

"I thought all the horses had a chance of a place, I never thought they would all win. I can't believe it, I've hardly slept since I won."

But he was not given an easy ride to his winnings. At Lingfield, Kabreet had a photo finish while at Stratford the leading horse stopped dramatically after the last fence allowing Monte Cristo, which was toiling ten lengths adrift, to cross the finishing post first.

Mr Smith, 54, said: "I didn't see the first four races but after checking the results was astounded by what was happening.

"I saw the fifth race on television and was resigned to seeing my horse finish third. Then, all of a sudden the two in front fell over each other and mine came home.

"After that I started to think it really was my day. After the fifth race my TV decided to pack up so I rushed to the bookies to watch the sixth, and final, race.

"I told everyone in the shop what was happening and we cheered Labrett home. I knew it was going to win."

He said that when his final horse reached the finishing post he could not speak, let alone yell, but he has since managed to draw up a spending list for the £55,433.69.

"With the money I'm going to pay off my mortgage, go on a cruise and buy a new car. I'm going to put the rest in the bank and aim to retire at 60. Before the win we had cancelled all plans for a holiday this year."

Warren Lush, a spokesman for Ladbrokes, said: "This is a phenomenal win, it surprised us - so much so that the slip was checked by dozens of people before we paid out. We congratulate Brian; he has cleaned us out and drained us dry.

"Brian's win is one of the most remarkable we have seen in many years, it's been a long time since a 40p bet has cost us so much. We're just grateful he didn't have a fiver on him."