MILKMAN Malcolm Green won more than £8,000 on the Irish Lottery despite losing his ticket - after betting shop staff recognised his handwriting.

Malcolm, 35, had put the numbers on in May but had accidentally thrown his betting slip away and had given up all hope of claiming his prize.

It was only when Malcolm returned to his local Ladbrokes shop, in South Shields, South Tyneside, to place another bet, that sharp-eyed staff recognised the numbers.

Manager Keith Anderson sneakily got Malcolm to write his name and address on another betting slip, telling him it was for a special prize-winning draw.

The handwriting sample was then sent away and analysed and experts reported that it was 99.99 per cent positive the winning ticket was Malcolm's.

Staff at Ladbrokes then rang the shocked father to let him know he could claim his £8,403.50 prize - even without the ticket.

Malcolm and girlfriend, Joanna Cramman, 23, were thrilled with the news and are planning a holiday abroad for themselves and their children.

Malcolm said; "I'm absolutely over the moon, I just can't believe it.

"I really thought I had lost out because I didn't have the betting slip to prove I had won it.

"I think we will have a nice family holiday abroad somewhere next year.

"I had always used those particular numbers and the staff obviously recognised them and got me to write my name and address down.

"I didn't know what it was all about until I got a phone call to tell me I had won it and could still claim because they had matched my handwriting.

"I was very shocked but obviously thrilled."