IT'S the life most of us could only dream of. Helicopter rides, balloon flights and top tennis matches… all on the other side of the world.But that is just what former St Albans and Westbourne High school pupil, Andrew Parmenter, is up to.

By Amanda Cresswell

IT'S the life most of us could only dream of.

Helicopter rides, balloon flights and top tennis matches… all on the other side of the world.

But that is just what former St Albans and Westbourne High school pupil, Andrew Parmenter, is up to.

The 28-year-old is sunning himself in luxurious surroundings in Melbourne with girlfriend, Leisa Gunn, after winning BBC television's live quiz show, National Lottery Jet Set.

The duo are set to be on our TV screens tonight at 8.45 pm, to tell us just how they are getting on.

Andrew's mother, Rita Devonshire, of Sheldrake Drive, said: "It is brilliant. I keep watching them on my video. They are having a wonderful time. I just hope they go through to the next stage of the game so they can go round the world."

The couple flew out to Australia on Sunday morning and are enjoying VIP treatment at The Crown Towers Hotel.

We also get the chance to see marketing manager, Andrew, again on Saturday at 7.30pm on BBC 1 when Ipswich viewers will be on tenterhooks to see if the pair can carry on through to their next destination.

The show, hosted by Eamonn Holmes, is based on general knowledge and incorporates numbers from the national lottery draw.

Contestants compete to play head to head with the winner from the previous week.

If the studio contestant wins they are jetted off to the next luxury destination with a friend for the week and the previous week's winner is taken to the airport and packed off home.

"It is so exciting," said Rita. "I have been in touch with them by e-mail.

"Andrew has travelled before but never this far and he is enjoying complete luxury. I just hope he continues his travels. He's a keen Ipswich town fan so this week he may appear on our TV screens in his town shirt."