A PENSIONER won a new Land Rover Defender worth £111,000 more than five decades after learning to drive in one.
Paul Whitehead, from Longfield, has won the SUV alongside a £50,000 cash prize after buying a ticket for £2.
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He said: “I actually learnt to drive in a Land Rover. It was a rust bucket on my grandparent’s farm years and years ago.
“It was probably an old Series 2 LWB model which was awfully noisy to drive. It was nothing like the present day Land Rovers.”
His new Land Rover Defender 110 comes with a 5.0 litre supercharged V8 engine and can sprint to 62mph in just 5.3 seconds.
It also features a panoramic roof, full premium leather interior and a Meridian sound system.
“It is a stunning vehicle and an iconic model,” Paul said. “I’m overwhelmed and can’t put it into words.”
Paul won BOTB’s Dream Car Competition. Presenter Christian Williams surprised Paul, 66, with the news he was this week’s winner.
After coming very close to winning in the past, Paul had wondered if he should give up. “I never thought I’d win,” he admitted. “It was just a bit of fun. This is a real stroke of luck and I feel quite fortunate.”
Paul, who used to work in the printing trade, plans to put some of the cash prize towards a family holiday as well as help get his two sons on the property ladder.
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“I can see blue skies, warm sand and tropical seas. I would love to go somewhere like St Lucia.
“I’m also going to help my sons get on the property ladder as they are both currently in rented accommodation,” he added.
Christian said: “It was fantastic to be able to surprise Paul with the news he had won this stunning car and huge cash prize.
“I love the new design of the Defender. It’s a masterpiece on the outside and on the interior. It is an absolute monster with over 500bhp.
“I’m sure Paul will also enjoy spending the cash prize and planning an unforgettable family holiday.”
BOTB, listed on the stock market, was founded by William Hindmarch in 1999 and has given away more than £53m-worth of cars so far.
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