A lucky punter has scooped an amazing USD-250,000 prize from his second-ever lottery ticket.

Billy Pruett, 56, from Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina won the mega prize – worth GBP 217,000 – from a USD-5 scratch-off.

After tax, he took home USD 177,526 (GBP 154,000) on 28th October.

He said he plans to save some of the winnings while spending the rest on bills, his friends, and “a big Christmas present” for his girlfriend.

In a statement obtained by Newsflash, the North Carolina Education Lottery said: “For only the second time, Billy Pruett of Shelby decided to try his luck playing the lottery, bought a $5 scratch-off, and won a $250,000 prize.”

Pruett said: “My heart went into my feet. I couldn’t sleep all night.”

The statement continued: “Pruett, 56, bought his lucky Mega Bucks Limited Edition ticket from Harry’s Quick Shop on Washburn Switch Road in Shelby.

“He arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to collect his prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $177,526.”

He said: “I’m going to buy my girlfriend a big Christmas present now.”

The statement went on: “Pruett said he also plans to pay some bills, share some of the money with his friends, and put the rest in savings.

“Mega Bucks Limited Edition debuted in August with five $250,000 prizes. One $250,000 prize remains to be claimed.

“Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $2.5 million a day on average for education.

“The state provided $22.8 million in grants, using money raised by the lottery, to help Cleveland County build new auditoriums at two high schools.”