Generous lottery winner Doug Wood has splashed out on new homes for his pals - because they give him a better return on his cash than the banks!

Bachelor Doug, 62, who lives in Westcliff, has bought six houses to rent out to close friends at a price they can afford.

These include:

Two in Hobleythick Lane, Westcliff

Two in Midhurst Avenue, Westcliff

One in Mayfield Close, Westcliff

A flat in Prince Avenue, Westcliff

Doug, who scooped more than £2.6m in a lottery roll-over, said: "I see this as a good investment, but I bought them two years ago or more.

"I rent them out to good friends and actually get more money back than I would from a bank or building society."

Since his numbers came up in September 1996, big-hearted Doug has donated thousands to charities and treated family and friends to holidays away.

He added: "I never think of myself as a millionaire. I'm just a fun-loving punter who likes a bet on the horses .

"What's the point of having money if you can't make people happy?"

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