A team of lucky workers from Bradford are looking forward to a pain-free Christmas after scooping £153,374 on the National Lottery.

The 17-strong group at aluminium recycling firm Alenoy Ltd struck gold, for the first time in five years, in Wednesday night's draw.

Production manager David Charlesworth, from Wibsey, was in the pub when he realised his luck was in.

The 38-year-old father-of-two said: "I was enjoying a quiet drink when my mobile phone rang. It was one of the lads telling me to check the numbers, and I couldn't believe it when he turned out to be right and we'd won.

"We are all really delighted, it is excellent news especially at this time of year, just before Christmas.

"It works out at just over £9,000 each, so we should all get our presents sorted out, anyway.

"My wife has already asked for a holiday to the Canary Islands, and my nine-year-old has started going through the Argos catalogue making a list of what she wants - so we won't have trouble spending it!"

The syndicate, made up of factory and clerical staff, has been together since the National Lottery launched, with each member using the same line of numbers every week.

But before buying this week's winning ticket from Dots Shop in Little Horton Lane, winnings had been restricted to the odd £10 or £50 - "beer money", as supervisor Graham Mehan, from East Bowling, says.

"This is brilliant though," said the 42-year-old, "It will just make all our Christmases and I'm looking forward to spoiling the kids and grandkids.

"We'll also be looking at treating ourselves to a good holiday next year."

Plant operator Dave Armstrong, of Manningham, said he was looking forward to sharing the cash with his wife. The 45-year-old said: "This is brilliant, the first time we've won anything substantial, so we'll be having a decent Christmas and saving the rest."

The group is the second from Bradford to enjoy a major lottery win this month, after the Michael Fisher syndicate scooped £122,451 on October 10.

Syndicate members, from left, Billy Fieldhouse, Graham Mehan, David Armstrong, David Charlesworth, Dave Hall and Mark Goldsborough toasted their success with champagne in the rain at their yard in Bowling today, as Camelot presented them with their prize.