Mystery lottery winner on Bere Island, pop. 180

Bere Island, a tiny skerry off the south western tip of the Republic of Ireland, is gripped by excitement after one of its 180 residents won 500,000 euros (£440,000). But no one knows who.

As speculation took hold on the island, Mary Murphy, of Lawrence Cove Post Office, who sold the ticket said: “I can’t believe it. It is amazing.”

Ms Murphy, who denied she was the winner, disclosed she had sold two tickets to outsiders, but believes the winner to be local.

“Everyone has been ringing me now. The phones are going mad,” she said.

Her lips are firmly sealed however, commenting: “€20 is the most anyone has won before.”