A FORMER policeman who shared in the first-ever National Lottery jackpot has died after a long illness at the age of 46.

Ken Southwell scooped an £839,254 share of the inaugural lotto prize in 1994 - and was renowned for keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite his sudden wealth.

But last Thursday the father-of-three lost his long battle with ill-health when he died from a brain tumour at his sister Christine's home in Holgate, York.

He had said his farewells to his friends at a special party she organised for him six months' earlier at his local pub, the Ship Inn at Acaster Malbis.

Mr Southwell, who was born and bred in York, was one of seven people who shared in the first jackpot and became an instant celebrity when he did so.

The former policeman was a satellite and cable installer who had helped set up the network for the lottery - and bought his ticket five days before his big win only because he had never seen one of the machines actually working.

He celebrated the win with his girlfriend Julia Haskins and two years later the couple married. Both his wife and sister were too upset to talk about their loss.

Although he splashed out on a Porsche and a Range Rover after his win he invested in property and on securing his family's future. He also moved from his home in Fulford, York, buying a house at Acaster Malbis on the city's outskirts.

He quit his job as a communications engineer but later set up his own engineering firm.

"You can't just sit back and do nothing for the rest of your life - I'd turn into a raving alcoholic," he joked to The Northern Echo at the time.

He also jointly took over a company that ran a cafe and ice-cream bar and two pubs in the city.

The landlord of the Ship Inn, Richard Dearlove, said his Mr Southwell's sister had organised the party when he was still able to appreciate it.

He added: "His sense of humour was there right to the end."