US War Veteran Wins $254m Lottery

An 84-year-old World War II veteran has won a $254m (£129m) jackpot in a US inter-state lottery.

Jim Wilson II, from St Louis, Missouri, claimed the prize with his wife Shirley, 79, saying: "I couldn't believe it and still don't."

He intends to share the prize, the world's 10th largest single-ticket lottery win, with relatives - an agreement the family has had for years.

Nebraska meatpackers won the largest single-ticket prize, $365m, in 2006.

Mr Wilson served in the US 82nd Airborne Division in Africa and Europe during World War II.

He bought the winning $5 ticket from a grocery store in St Louis County about an hour before last Wednesday's draw.

Mr Wilson took a staff member's advice to buy a computer-selected ticket for the Powerball. The shop gets $50,000 for selling the winning ticket.

Mr Wilson took professional advice before coming forward to claim the prize. He had the option of taking the $254m in instalments over 29 years or a lump sum of $120m.

Mr Wilson's son, Terril, 53, said the family had an agreement on sharing winnings.

"We all buy family Powerball tickets, but mom and dad only buy tickets when the jackpot gets high," he said.

Many lottery players now buy tickets online.