GAMBLING on the National Lottery has paid off for a staggering 50 Bournemouth residents who have become millionaires since it was established in 1994.

The lucky winners are among 5,000 people who have received seven-figure cheques in the last 24 years.

Across the UK there have been 38,000 big winners of £50,000 across all National Lottery games, with 352 of them from Bournemouth.

Among them is Jamie Kay who scooped an incredible £1 million.

Young dad Jamie was just 22-years-old when he struck lucky in 2016 and since then he has invested in two homes, his own business, a luxury car and a dream wedding.

Analysis of winners across the UK reveals most winners get more pleasure from gifting to family, friends and charity than spending the money on themselves.

Andy Carter, Senior Winners' Adviser at the National Lottery, said gifts include cash, holidays, cars and houses. A fifth also help others with university fees.

He said the UK's 5,000 lottery millionaires have created a further 1,750 millionaires by sharing their windfall, more than half will make their children millionaires and a third believe they will also make their grandchildren millionaires.

"After the shock and excitement nearly all winners first question how they can look after their nearest and dearest" he said. "In many cases this seems to bring winners even greater joy than thinking about how they can treat themselves.

"I see first-hand the effect a win can have on the circle of people close to a winner, and this always reminds me that at heart we are a nation that is kind and generous."

A survey conducted in the south west reveals that most people would move house, preferably to a country home, and would give money away.

More than half said they would help family and friends, 12 per cent would give to charity and 30 per cent liked the idea of opening an animal sanctuary.

South West residents would prioritise experience and travel over possessions and luxury items.