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Press release

ERNIE VISITS BRISTOL WITH £1 MILLION FOR MYSTERY WINNER

02 August 2004

MYSTERY WINNER IN BRISTOL CELEBRATES £1MILLION PREMIUM BOND JACKPOT

Winning number	50XH949682
Date of purchase	February 2003
Winner's location	Bristol

One lucky woman from Bristol is £1 million richer today after ERNIE, the Premium Bond number generator, churned through billions of Premium Bond numbers, picking this month's jackpot winning number.

The winner, whose identity is being kept a 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 Bristol's second £1 million Premium Bond jackpot winner since the top prize was introduced in 1994, and August's winner becomes the 125th Premium Bond millionaire overall. This month's winning jackpot number was purchased in February 2003.

The prize fund rate is currently 2.60% per annum tax free, equivalent to 3.25% p.a. gross for a basic rate tax payer and 4.33% p.a. gross for a higher rate tax payer.

From 1 September 2004 the prize fund rate will go up to 2.80% per annum tax free with odds fixed at 24,000 to 1. The change in the prize fund rate will also increase the number of monthly Premium Bond prizes from 870,000 to 1,000,000, for the first time ever.

The popularity of Premium Bonds has grown dramatically over the past five years as the amount invested has doubled to over £24 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 August 2004 are:

£1million	1
£100,000	3
£50,000	7
£25,000	13
£10,000	33
£5,000	65
£1,000	1,050
£500	3,150
£100	68,303
£50	809,532
Prize value	Number of Prizes
£52,561,900	882,157

Since the first draw in 1957, ERNIE has given away over 110 million prizes worth over £7 billion. Prizes range from £50 to £1million.

There is currently £23.6 million in unclaimed prizes. There is no time limit on claiming prizes. Premium Bond investors can check to see if they have won by clicking here and using the Premium Bond prize checker.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The lucky jackpot winner becomes ERNIE's 125th Premium Bond millionaire.
2. June's jackpot winner holds a total of £3,000 Premium Bonds.
3. 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.
4. NS&I has a number of spokespeople available for interviews and our experienced radio team is available via our ISDN line: 020 7602 4522.

For further information contact the NS&I media team

	Mark Brooks	020 7348 9301	mark.brooks@nsandi.com
	Jonathan Akerman	020 7348 9433	jonathan.akerman@nsandi.com
	Elen Thomas	020 7348 9654	elen.thomask@nsandi.com
	Wendy Franklin	020 7348 9449	wendy.franklin@nsandi.com
	Fax	020 7348 9755
	Out of hours	07778 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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