Single dad Shaun Bayford thought his luck would never change - and then an impulsive gamble on four random horses netted him almost £1,000.

Now the novice tipster has promised to take his three children on holiday to Spain after beating the odds with a series of bets.

After breaking his arm, ruling him off work for three months, he was cursing his fortunes again when his cat Linford injured his leg and ran up a vet's bill of £116.

On an impulse, 38-year-old Shaun nipped into a nearby Ladbrokes betting shop after emerging from the veterinary surgery in Southwick.

One of the assistants had to help him fill out a "lucky 15" accumulator betting slip because he was so unused to betting etiquette.

The bet was made up of 15 60p each-way bets.

Shaun, of Old Shoreham Road, Southwick, had only ever placed bets on big races such as the Grand National or the Epsom Derby before.

However, he decided there would be no harm in placing £9 on four horses at Ascot: Russian Valour, Spanish Sun, Mr Dinos and Fantastic Love.

He chose Russian Valour by closing his eyes and sticking a pencil on the racing form guide and Spanish Sun because he fancied a holiday in Spain.

Mr Dinos was a tip from a friend and he picked Fantastic Love as his final flutter because "the name just sounded like a winner".

It was not until later he discovered Fantastic Love trailed in last in its previous race.

Father-of-three Shaun said: "Getting that vet's bill had made me so fed up, I saw Ladbrokes and thought I might as well try and win a little bit of money.

"I never expected to win so much, though - especially not with the luck I've had lately."

Russian Valour romped home in first at 4-1, as did Spanish Sun.

Shaun had not been paying much attention to the day's racing until then but tuned in with 13-year-old daughter Antonia to cheer on his remaining two horses.

Mr Dinos lived up to its billing as favourite in its race to complete the hat-trick but Shaun had to endure a nail-biting climax when Fantastic Love's race went to a photo finish.

He said: "Fantastic Love was still near the back of the pack until quite near the end but managed to race through.

"As soon as the results of the photo finish came through, we went mad. I knew then I'd won a bit of money.

"It wasn't until I got to the shop and they handed over almost £900 that I realised how much."

He will put the money towards taking Antonia, 15-year-old David and 11-year-old George to Bellamadeira for a fortnight next month.