Philip Harding got a real birthday surprise when he won £10,000 on a scratchcard the day he turned 16.

The National Lottery Scratchcard was bought for him by his parents, Alison and Richard, because they decided birthday cards were a waste of money.

At 16 it was the first day Philip, who has recently started working as a roofer in Lewes, was legally allowed to play the lottery.

The lucky lad did not waste much time before heading down to the shops to spend some of his jackpot.

Philip, from Wivelsfield Green, has already splashed out on a new television, mini-disc player and a whole new wardrobe.

But the teenager is sharing his good fortune. He has given his mum £3,000 and plans to take a couple of his mates on holiday to Greece or Ibiza.

He has four siblings and has delighted two of them by presenting them with a mobile phone each.

Philip, who has recently left The Priory School in Lewes, said: "At first I thought I'd won a tenner but when I scratched the figures off properly it said £10,000.

"I couldn't believe it - I started jumping up and down in the street and had to get the girl in the shop to double check I'd won. As it was my birthday anyway we had a double celebration."

But his dad says Philip has not got carried away by the lucky windfall.

Richard Harding, a joiner, said: "We think birthday cards are a waste of paper - they just get thrown away so we bought him a scratchcard instead.

"It was a real shock when he won so much money but he has stayed level-headed.

"We're not telling him what to do with it - the money is there for him to spend and enjoy."