A 21-year-old builder from just outside Swadlincote has started the year on a high after announcing his National Lottery win just after Christmas - which has seen him bank £10,000 a month for 30 years.

James Evans, a block paver for his dad's business, bumped into a friend on the day he found out he had won the top prize on Set For Life in the draw on December 28, but kept his incredible news a secret for a little longer.

"I woke up on Tuesday morning and had forgotten all about the Set For Life ticket I had bought the day before," said James.

"I've been working consistently throughout the pandemic and been really busy, so I was enjoying some time off over the Christmas break.

"I turned on my PlayStation, ready to play a game and checked my emails while waiting for it to load.

"I noticed an email from The National Lottery to say I'd won a prize, but didn't think too much of it as I'd won £5 not too long ago.

"I checked the National Lottery app and saw that I'd matched all of the five main numbers and the Life Ball. I couldn't believe it! I ran down to my mum to get her to check but she wasn't sure either."

James immediately called Camelot to confirm the win, before deciding to go rock climbing in an attempt at clearing his head.

"I felt really overwhelmed so I decided to go rock climbing," he said.

"I'm really into sports and rock climb regularly - I spent the summer climbing at the Peak District and I have been missing my sports during the pandemic.

"While climbing, I ended up bumping into one of my best friends and his girlfriend, who were also climbing but I didn't tell them about my win - I didn't know what to do!"

A few days after the win, and only having told close family, James enjoyed some New Year's Eve celebrations with friends, having drinks and playing games virtually, and still managed to keep his win a secret.

"I had a great evening with all of my friends but I was adamant I wasn't going to tell anyone as it still didn't feel real - it was really difficult not to slip up! I have since told all of my friends and they are so happy and shocked," he said.

Despite his new-found fortune, James plans to keep life as normal as possible, with no plans to move out of his parents' home or stop working with his dad, but lots of travel plans in the pipeline when he can.

James added: "After the win had sunk in a bit more, I started to think about all of the things I could do and buy.

"My first thought was a skiing trip to Canada with my family. I'd also love to go to Alaska, I'll definitely take a trip of a lifetime there when it's safe to travel again.

"I'm going to stay at home for the time being and have a think about what I want to do. My dad was chuffed for me and he doesn't want me working for him for the rest of his life, but I'll always be there to help him out, whatever I decide to do in the future.

"There isn't anything I need or want at the moment, although I have been eyeing up a new computer. I haven't been able to play any of my sports due to the pandemic so having my Playstation has kept me busy.

"I play badminton at a professional level and volunteer at my local badminton club to coach younger kids, which is something I love and am really proud of and I can't wait to get back to coaching.

"I never thought I would actually win, but you have to be in it to win it, as they say."

James bought his winning Set For Life Lucky Dip ticket, online via the National Lottery app. The winning Set For Life numbers for the draw on Monday 28 December, 2020 were 2, 4, 22, 37, 45, and the Life Ball was 10.

In the current situation, National Lottery players are encouraged to play online HERE or by downloading the National Lottery app, and to only buy their tickets in retail in line with government guidance.

Playing online via the website or app means that your ticket is checked, and you get an email notification if you win a prize. You can also scan your retail tickets on the National Lottery app to check if you are a winner.

By playing any National Lottery game, players help to raise an average of £30million every week for National Lottery Good Causes across the UK.

This money helps support arts, community and charity, heritage, education, environment and the sport sectors – everything from the local charity making a difference where you live through to helping our nation's athletes win Olympic and Paralympic gold medals.

To date, more than £42billion has been raised and distributed to National Lottery Good Causes through more than 625,000 individual grants.

Thanks to National Lottery players, up to £800million is being used by charities and organisations affected by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak across the communities, the arts, heritage and sport.

This includes up to £400million in funding support from the National Lottery Community Fund which is being used to help groups best placed to support people and communities through the crisis – from helping support food banks to causes that combat loneliness and isolation, support for the elderly and projects that aid health in the community.

Set For Life from The National Lottery costs £1.50 per line to play, draws take place every Monday and Thursday and the top prize is £10k every month for 30 years.