A MARRIED dad has won a new van worth more than £26,000.

John Amico, a property maintenance professional from Haywards Heath, scooped a Ford Transit Custom van and a selection of DeWalt power tools in Toolstation’s “Win a Van” prize draw.

He has run his own business undertaking property maintenance on behalf of estate agents and landlords in Brighton and Hove for the past 13 years.

John likened it to the birth of his first child, saying: “It was the same gut feeling as when my first child was born by emergency caesarean and was handed to me; of being both nervous and excited, feeling sick, emotional and happy all at the same time.

“I can’t believe I’ve won it. I’ve never been in this situation before.

“I don’t win anything, not even raffles at my child’s school.

“I wanted to pinch the Ford delivery guy to check it was real, I’m lost for words.”

Steve Gunner, divisional director for the south at Toolstation, congratulated John.

He said: “Our annual free prize draws are always incredibly popular.

“This one has really captured the imagination of not only our trade customers but also our retail teams. Toolstation staff have done a fantastic job of chatting to customers about it and encouraging them to enter – and John winning is a perfect example.”