The £8.5m. lottery winner

GUERNSEYMAN Neil Chester has won £8.5m. on the National Lottery. A press call arranged for this morning in a hotel in Ashford, Kent, is expected to confirm that Mr Chester and his wife, Kate, who have four children under 10, three boys and one girl, scooped the multi-million prize on Wednesday.

Family have confirmed that Mr Chester, who is in his early 30s, is celebrating his £8,531,595 Lotto rollover jackpot in the UK, but said that they had been told not to say any more.

The IT consultant took voluntary redundancy from investment firm FRM at the end of last month and reportedly moved to the UK just days ago to start a new life.

Former colleague Dave Gilliver, who worked with Mr Chester for three years, said the win could not have happened to a nicer person.

'Neil's always been a bit of an entrepreneur.

'He's had a few jobs in his time and opened a computer shop on the Bridge.

'He's quite outgoing and imaginative. He's definitely got a fair bit of drive in him,' said the 27-year-old.

He said Mr Chester was facing financial difficulty before he left for the UK.

'I think he was in a tough spot renovating his house and was very strapped for cash,' he said.

Mr Chester had moved to the UK for job interviews in London this week.

'He was in the position of getting a new job and now this has happened to him,' said Mr Gilliver.

'His wife and children have been in the UK for some months, but he is happily married.

'It's just outstanding that this has happened to him - it's incredible.'

Mr Chester is believed to be staying at his wife's parent's family home in Kent.

Mr Chester's uncle, Graham, sports development manager at Beau Sejour, confirmed yesterday that his nephew had scooped the jackpot.

'Neil has won the money, but I cannot say any more than that. We have been sworn to secrecy I'm afraid,' he said.

A former co-member of La Fraternelle All-stars basketball team said: 'I've known Neil for ages - he came to my wedding,' said the man who wishes to remain anonymous.

'It's absolutely fantastic news and I cannot believe it,' he added.

The 6ft-plus winner also played in goal for The Bowl football team.

Mark Barnett, former Le Mont Saint basketball teammate of Mr Chester's, said: 'It couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke and it couldn't have happened at a better time.

'It's great news for him and his family,' he said.