GLASSES were raised in celebration at a North-East village pub last night after a group of regulars' numbers came up in the National Lottery.

The six-strong syndicate from the Joiners Arms, in Hunwick, near Crook, County Durham, were among the five jackpot winners in the midweek draw.

It left licensee Ian Richardson, son-in-law Raymond Bowes, plus Joiners Arms pub pals, Peter Phillips, John Walton, David Baddeley and Bill Chicken sharing a £567,052 prize.

They quickly did their sums to work out they are each better off by £94,508.66, with no one left arguing over the remaining 4p.

Syndicate leader Peter Phillips did not check the winning numbers until late on Wednesday night, having missed the live draw because he was watching the England versus Spain football international on television.

"I forgot about the lottery draw until the match had finished. When I put the teletext on I couldn't believe it."

Peter, 56, an oil company salesman, asked his wife, Julie, to check the numbers.

She confirmed they had won, but, still not wholly convinced, Peter rang John for a third opinion, and it was not long before David and Bill were informed through further calls.

Publican Ian, who left for a holiday in the Canary Isles with wife Anne on Wednesday, only found out when he rang son Ian junior yesterday morning, who was looking after the pub, where they have manned the pumps for 30 years.

The other syndicate member, 40-year-old farmer Raymond Bowes, who is working in France, has also been informed.