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Press release

CHEESE AND TOAST!

02 February 2004

GLOUCESTERSHIRE WINNER CELEBRATES £1MILLION PREMIUM BOND JACKPOT

Winning number:  60DV 527570
Date of purchase:  July 2003
Winner's location:  Gloucestershire

One lucky resident from Gloucestershire is £1 million richer today after ERNIE, the Premium Bond number generator, churned his way through billions of Premium Bond numbers before setting out this month's jackpot winner.

The winner - whose identity is being kept a closely guarded secret - was told last night in person by Agent Million, the mystery person who pays a personal visit to the winner to give them the good news.

This is Gloucestershire's third £1 million Premium Bond jackpot winner since the top prize was introduced in 1994, and February's winner becomes the 119th Premium Bond millionaire overall. This month's winning jackpot number was purchased in July 2003.

The prize fund rate is currently 2.15% per annum tax free, equivalent to 2.69% p.a. gross for a basic rate tax payer and 3.58% p.a. gross for a higher rate tax payer.

The popularity of Premium Bonds has grown dramatically over the past five years as the amount invested has doubled to £23 billion.

Like all National Savings and Investments (NS&I) products, Premium Bonds offer investors 100% security, backed by HM Treasury, as well as the sense of fun that comes from winning tax free prizes.

The number and value of prizes awarded in February 2004 are:

£1million 1
£100,000 1
£50,000 3
£25,000 6
£10,000 14
£5,000 26
£1,000 501
£500 1,503
£100 1,898
£50 773,273
Prize value Number of Prizes
£41,775,950 777,226

Since the first draw in 1957, ERNIE has given away over 107 million prizes worth £6.9 billion. Prizes range from £50 to £1million.

There is currently £23 million in unclaimed prizes. There is no time limit on claiming prizes. Premium Bond investors can check to see if they have won by logging on to www.nsandi.com and using the Premium Bond prize checker.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The lucky jackpot winner becomes ERNIE's 119th Premium Bond millionaire.

February's jackpot winner holds a total of £30,000 Premium Bonds.

Pictures of ERNIE are available from the NS&I Media Team.

Further information on National Savings and Investments (NS&I), including press releases and product information, is available on the website at www.nsandi.com. You can also contact the NS&I Media Team.

NS&I has a number of spokespeople available for interviews and our experienced radio team is available via our ISDN line: 020 7602 4522.

Mark Brooks020 7348 9301mark.brooks@nsandi.com
Jonathan Akerman020 7348 9433jonathan.akerman@nsandi.com
Samantha Bennett:020 7348 9654sam.bennett@nsandi.com
Wendy Franklin020 7348 9449wendy.franklin@nsandi.com
Fax020 7348 9755
Out of hours07778 966387

Media team
NS&I has a number of spokespeople available for interviews and our experienced radio team is available via our ISDN line: 020 7602 4522.

The numbers below are for media use only. Customers wishing to contact NS&I can find details here.

Gill Stephens 020 7348 9449
gill.stephens@nsandi.com
Iman Asante 020 7348 9301
iman.asante@nsandi.com
Angela Mason 020 7348 9433
angela.mason@nsandi.com

ISDN for interviews

020 7602 4522

Out of hours

All numbers above diverted to staffed mobile phones
 

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