'Blow the first pounds 15m on homes and cars'.

Byline: MATT BLAKE

A TOP investment broker yesterday advised the Scaddings to blow pounds 15 million of their winnings on life's not-so-little luxuries - and to invest the rest.

Mark Dampier, of Hargreeves Lansdown, said the pounds 45.5million could rake in pounds 1.4million a year if put in a high street bank at 3.1 per cent. This would double the fortune in 32 years without the pair lifting a finger.

But the expert said it would be best to spread the cash between institutions, adding: "It would be madness to keep all their eggs in one basket. If they were to keep pounds 15million in cash for spending on fast cars and fancy castles there would be pounds 30million left to invest."

This would be enough to earn the Scaddings a cool million a year if they followed Mr Dampier's plan to spread the winnings between cash, shares, property and fixed-interest bonds." Ten million could go into any high street bank.

Interest at around 3% would mean pounds 300,000 a year. The next pot should go into equities such as venture capital trusts (VCTs). Mr Dampier said: "You can put pounds 200,000 a year into VCTs with a 30% tax relief and the income is tax free. They are high risk but they could net up to 10% return."

Next he would spend pounds 5million on buy-to-let property.

"It's best in up-and-coming areas such as Scotland and Wales or rejuvenating areas like the Olympic sites. This could yield 5 or 6% per year."

For his last throw of the dice Mr Dampier would fancy putting the rest into government or corporate bonds. Not very exciting but they will yield around 5% a year.