THE NORTH-East's biggest National Lottery winner has splashed out on Hartlepool's most expensive home after spotting it on the Internet.

Barry Moss, who won £7.5m on the Lottery last month, has bought the property, which was on the market for £890,000.

The former digger driver, who worked for Sillars engineering, in Hartlepool, before winning his fortune, has swapped his semi-detached house in Darlington for the Park Avenue mansion.

The five-bedroom property is set in 1.2 acres of grounds, opposite Ward Jackson Park.

It has an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, sun terrace, study, cellar, three-car garage, a master bedroom with its own dressing room, and luxury bathroom.

It was sold by Ron Greig Estate Agents after Mr Moss, 57, and his partner of more than 20 years, Pat Herriott, saw it on the firm's website.

Mr Greig said: "I cannot disclose the exact price the property went for, but it's a beautiful house, probably the best house to be offered for sale in the town for a long time.

"It was sold pretty quickly. It was on the market for about two months. The house is probably about 70 or 80 years old, but it has been improved a lot. It has a lot of character, with a magnificent reception hall and reception rooms, all set in fantastic grounds."

Mr Moss won his millions after buying a lucky dip lottery ticket last month. He watched his six numbers, 24, 34, 37, 38, 41 and 49, come up on television as he and his family enjoyed a barbecue.

At the time he said he wanted to buy a luxury home with a swimming pool in the Darlington area.

He also planned to swap his Ford Mondeo for a BMW or Mercedes, and treat himself to a Newcastle United season ticket.

He told reporters: "When the numbers came up on the television I was stunned. I've only ever won the odd £10 before. I just can't think about spending £7.5m - it's amazing.

"Every one is over the moon for us and it means we can see the family are all right for the future."

Mr Moss scooped the jackpot just a week after Anita Wynne, also from Darlington, won £3.6m on the Lottery, making the town one of the luckiest places in Britain.