A SOMERSET pub chef was celebrating in August 2007 after scooping almost £5 million on the National Lottery.

Paul Hardware, 51, hit the jackpot after a run of luck which started when he wished upon a star - after a game of snooker.

Paul, a chef at the Piper's Inn, Ashcott, said: "I was leaving the snooker hall with my son, Matthew, a couple of weeks ago and saw the first star in the sky.

"I decided, for a laugh, to follow the tradition and make a wish, so I wished to win the lottery and since then, I have had a real run of luck."

Paul and wife Denise planned to buy a new house in Street and spend more time following his beloved Welsh rugby team, as well as taking some holidays in the sun.

"We already have an idea of the house that we fancy," Paul said.