Wyvern regular Brian Battystock has promised to keep his feet firmly on the ground after winning a record £26.10 on the pub jackpot machine. He has already become the subject of begging letters and fevered speculation in the Norfolk village of Shytte as a result of his “amazing evening” last Tuesday.

“It was a dream come true”, admitted Battystock. “I mean, I try the machine every day and get the odd pound coin here and there, but to get £26.10 is amazing. I have no idea how I’m going to spend the money yet – perhaps take a holiday? Perhaps save a bit – but I’m definitely going to keep on working, you know. Got to keep my feet grounded and all that.”

Battystock, who works as a hod carrier at the local building site, says he has received a number of begging letters from locals, and has vowed to “stay strong” in the face of pressure. “Now I’m the talking point of the whole town, I have certain added responsibilities,” he said while cracking open a £26 bottle of bubbly. “One woman wrote to me asking to pay for her daughter’s trip to Disneyland – apparently she has some disease or other – but if I pay for one daughter to go to see Mickey, I’ll be paying for everyone’s daughters. Where do I draw the line?”

Publican Jerry Mandarin told The Daily Shame that he will “always remember the moment Brian won £26.10″, adding that “someone was looking down on us that night and said – yes, yes it shall be you. Brian was so overjoyed, he bought a round for everyone. I hope he uses the money wisely and that it doesn’t go to his head.”

Brian’s wife Hilda has already been seen out on the town wearing new earrings, and is sporting a new hairdo instead of her usual Croydon facelift. Some locals, however, have voiced their disgust at their new-found riches: “I think it’s revolting”, said local Sandra Undergarment-Smith, “they waltz around as if they own Shytte, but it’s everyone’s village. I mean, I saw him the other day wearing a new suit and he smelt of port, not vodka as he usually does. I don’t like change. I just don’t like it.”