There is less than six years to go until she can try her luck on the lottery.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ten-year-old Ellie Barker found a four-leaf and a five-leaf clover in her garden.Ten-year-old Ellie Barker found a four-leaf and a five-leaf clover in her garden. (Image: Archant)

And schoolgirl Ellie Barker is counting down every day after stumbling across a four-leaf – and a five-leaf – clover in one very unusual, but very lucky, afternoon of exploration in her garden.

The curious 10-year-old explained: “I like going round exploring in the garden and we there is a patch of clover leaves.

“I read about another girl finding a five-leaf clover and wondered if I could do the same.

“Then suddenly, I looked down and saw a four-leaf clover.

“I couldn’t believe it. And then, right next to it, I saw a five-leaf clover! I was really surprised and ran in and told my parents.”

The Springfield Junior School pupil said her dad told her she should have a go on the lottery.

“But I will have to wait until I am older,” she said.

It is said that those who discover four-leaf clovers are destined for good luck.

Yet those who unearth five-leaf variants are set to be rewarded with an abundance of luck, as well as financial windfalls.

“I hope that’s true,” said her dad Mark Barker.

“I’ve heard there’s a one-in-20,000 chance of finding one, so I hope it pays off some time soon!”

Ellie, who has also added finding shark teeth at Nacton shore to her list of rare discoveries, has preserved the five-leaf clover in a folder containing school certificates and awards.

“She was gobsmacked when she came across the four-leaf clover,” Mr Barker added.

“And then she couldn’t believe it when she found a five-leaf one right next to it.

“She came running in and I told her to do the lottery!”

That day will have to wait.

But until then, Ellie is already busy trying to complete her next mission – discovering the ultra-rare six-leaf clover.