A HARD-UP man who moved to exclusive Barnt Green after scooping more than £1.8m on the National Lottery has died just two years after his win, it emerged this week.

Phil Kitchen, of Smallwood, Redditch, was so strapped for cash before his win that he was forced to sell two treasured limited edition plates for £20 to make ends meet.

But in December 1999 he completed his rags to riches tale when he did a £500,000 deal to become the proud owner of a five-bedroom country home set in more than four acres in exclusive Barnt Green.

However, Mr Kitchen's life of luxury lasted just two years because the Advertiser/Messenger has learned he died on December 19 and a private service was held at Redditch Crematorium last Wednesday, January 2.

Redditch-based Huntleys Funeral Directors confirmed they handled the details regarding Mr Kitchen's funeral.

Mr Kitchen, who was in his late 50s, was a carpenter by trade and during the last years of his life listed former Aston Villa boss Ron Atkinson and Sir Bert Millichip, past chairman of the Football Association, among his neighbours.

In December 1999, the Advertiser/Messenger revealed the Lottery winner viewed Peewit Cottage, in Bittell Farm Road, twice before putting down a £50,000 deposit on the property, sold by estate agent Andrew Grant.

The house, set in a secluded area, is reached by a 200-metre driveway, and has its own tennis court, summer house and stabling.