CHAMPAGNE corks are popping in the Hunt household today after the family won a competition to have their mortgage paid for a year.David Hunt, 51, of Ramsey Close, Ipswich, was the lucky Evening Star reader to win the competition, which is run by Ipswich Building Society and The Evening Star.

CHAMPAGNE corks are popping in the Hunt household today after the family won a competition to have their mortgage paid for a year.

David Hunt, 51, of Ramsey Close, Ipswich, was the lucky Evening Star reader to win the competition, which is run by Ipswich Building Society and The Evening Star.

Immediately after the lucky number 23 ticket was drawn, Mr Hunt said: "It feels unreal!"

The Suffolk College lecturer, who teaches financial accounting, will receive £500 each month to pay his mortgage.

The competition, which has been running since December last year, saw one lucky entrant win £100 during each month of the competition. The monthly winners also got the chance to go forward into the final draw.

"I was pleased enough to have won the £100 but this is unreal, said Mr Hunt. This will more than cover my mortgage. It will be nice to help some other members of my family and maybe pay off some of my daughter's mortgage."

Mr Hunt, who lives with his wife Madeline, 52, and son Jeff, 26, said he hopes to buy a new car with the extra money he will have each month.

He said: "I haven't really been thinking about it but it will nice to buy some extra things each month. It will be a good Christmas."

John Whayman, chief executive of Ipswich Building Society, said over 2,000 people had entered the competition, making it a massive success.

It marked a link-up between two of the biggest names in Ipswich – the building society was formed in 1849 and has branches throughout Suffolk and north Essex.

Mr Whayman said: "One of the biggest financial decisions in life is buying a house and it is one of the first things to go out of the account each month.

"We have been delighted with the response to the competition and are pleased to have found a lucky person to have their mortgage paid for a year."

Star editor Nigel Pickover presented Mr Hunt with the £6,000 cash. Mr Hunt also received a bottle of champagne to celebrate the occasion.

The 11 runners up all received a bottle of champagne each.

The 12 monthly winners each received £100.

They were:

Sandie Manning.

Julie Cracknell.

Juliet Parker.

Mrs M. Robinson.

Carol Betts.

David Hunt.

Kevin Rogers.

Anita Turner.

Lisa Andrews.

Sadie Carter.

Ed Nicholls.

Julie Sheldrick.