A LUCKY punter from Crewe celebrated winning £81,000 from a £1 bet with a boneless banquet from KFC before quitting his job.

Rob Hankey, 47, could hardly believe his eyes when he realised he’d backed the winning six horses at Ascot in an accumulator bet on Saturday.

His father was the first to congratulate Rob at their home at Samuel Street, Crewe.

He then celebrated his windfall with a boneless banquet and a Malteser flavoured milkshake from his favourite takeaway.

“I screamed out that I’d done it,” he said.

“Dad congratulated me then my mum kissed me on the cheeks which she hasn’t done for ages. After going to KFC I watched a re-run of the races and then I couldn’t sleep.”

The following day Rob went into work to complete his Sunday shift in a Bargain Booze warehouse, but decided to call it a day on his 17-year stint.

He’s now planning to try out first class train travel, join a golf club, pay off the cost of his car and head off to America for the Breeders’ Cup racing festival.

“Everything has changed. I can’t believe it,” said Rob, who put his accumulator on at Betfred in Crewe town centre, where he has been a regular for ten years

“I won big on Saturday afternoon and then on Sunday was working from 2pm to 10pm at the Bargain Booze warehouse and I decided to jack it in.

“My boss naturally asked me why and I said I had won £81,000 on the horses. He said he didn’t blame me and I carried on until 6pm before leaving.

“I had worked there since 1999 but this life-changing win means I have the freedom to make choices. Going to the Breeders’ Cup for instance has always been an ambition of mine.”

The 47-year-old said he will also now have more time to look after his disabled pensioner parents David and Anne.

But before that he’s planning to take his pals on a VIP trip with pals to Cheltenham on Friday.

He said: “I have two hobbies, golf and horse racing. Now I will have much more time for both as I used to work Sunday to Thursday.

“I will be upgrading my golf clubs and applying to join Malkins Bank Golf Club in Sandbach.

“I always knew I would win big one day ever since my dad went berserk when I won £400 on the Lincoln Handicap when I was 18, which was my first ever bet.

"He said I should have had 50p each way which is his usual bet.”

Rob was presented with a bottle of champagne and chocolates courtesy of Betfred boss Fred Done, who contacted him to congratulate him personally.

Fred said: “What an amazing win that has totally transformed Rob’s life.”