Ernie picks millionaires for 50th

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/6712061.stm

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Five people have become millionaires in a special draw to mark the 50th anniversary of Premium Bonds.

National Savings and Investments (NS&I) keeps winners' identities secret but said one, from Kent, had only bought the bonds six months ago.

The other winners are from East Sussex, Nottingham, Tyne and Wear and London's borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

The draw was started by Jack Armitage, from Lancashire, who built the first Ernie random number generator machine.

Added jackpots

It was the second of two anniversary specials in which the number of jackpots was increased from the normal two.

NS&I and has been celebrating the 50th anniversary since September with a series of events including five £1m jackpots last December.

John Prout, sales director of NS&I, said: "Premium Bonds have become increasingly popular over the last five years as we've added jackpots and made them easier to invest in.

"However, the last year has seen even larger amounts invested and over half a million new customers."