AN IPSWICH man is today celebrating becoming the first Evening Star reader to get his mitts on a cool grand in our new �1,000 giveaway competition.

AN IPSWICH man is today celebrating becoming the first Evening Star reader to get his mitts on a cool grand in our new �1,000 giveaway competition.

Ken Broomfield became the first lucky winner to scoop a cash prize in the 'Grab a Grand' competition brought to you by Britain's Daily Newspaper of the Year and Ipswich based company Call Connection.

Over the next five weeks we're giving readers a chance to pocket a weekly �1000 prize just by answering one simple question.

Mr Broomfield was astonished when he received news he'd won the first cash handout. He said: “It was a very nice surprise when I got a phone call just after dinner telling me I'd won.

“I had seen the competition advertised in the paper and thought �1000 would be handy!”

The 78-year-old from Bridport Avenue is a keen gardener and regularly helps elderly neighbours keep their borders neat and tidy.

He plans to spend some of the money on some new seeds but also promised to donate a chunk to a worthy cause supported by The Evening Star. He said: “I used to be a home tutor for the blind so I thought I would give some of the money to the 'Star is Born' campaign.

“The rest of it I will spend on myself and my Tibetan Terrier who has cost me quite a bit in vet bills recently!”