A SYNDICATE of workers who scooped £3.9million on the lottery have pledged not to quit their jobs.

Thirteen staff at Altham engineering firm ASK Rewind shared in jackpot- but five workers at the firm missed out as they were not in the lottery group.

Head of the syndicate Arthur Whitaker, 79, from Padiham, said the group were "amazed" and "overjoyed" at their success.

He was in bed wearing just a string vest as he watched the lottery draw on Saturday.

Arthur said he jumped out of bed and did a dance in front of his wife Doris, 76, before ringing his children to tell them the good news.

His son Andy, 44, the boss of ASK Rewinds said the shock of the win had yet to sink in.

The syndicate, including Andy's wife Jayne, celebrated the news today by popping champagne corks and parading a giant cheque at their base in the Altham Industrial Park.

Each member will collect around £300,000 each. Theirs was one of two winning tickets on the night, each worth £3,938,641.

The majority of the group are from the Burnley and Padiham areas and most said they were not considering leaving their jobs.

Peter Lewis, 50, who is a director at the firm, said that he hung up on Andy at hearing the news, because he did not believe what the notorious practical joker was telling him.

Another of the group, 24-year-old Kieron McNamara, said he had only joined the syndicate nine weeks ago and had paid just £18 at £2 per week.

He said he is now planning to buy a house with the cash.

The workers said 'no comment' when asked how the five other workers felt.

Arthur, who has led the syndicate for 10 years, said: "There are 13 of us in the syndicate but it is obviously not unlucky for us.

"I have six children and a lot of grandchildren so I want to use the money to look after my family."

Andy said that a big party was now being planned for the workers and their families.

Arthur puts the 16 Lotto lines and six Hotpicks each week at Holland's Newsagents in Padiham Road, Burnley.

On Saturday the group also won £7,500 on the Hotpicks.

He added: "The phone hasn't stopped ringing since Saturday and a few of the guys have been round to see the ticket for themselves!"

Andy said: "I was in a pub having something to eat when I got the call from my dad.

"I didn't believe him at first and was in a state of shock.

"I'm so happy for everyone who works here. I am not expecting many people to hand in their resignation but the cash will certainly come in handy during these tough times.

"The message I've had from many of the staff is 'I'm not packing in'."

The business moved to Altham six years ago from Read after Andy took over.

The group's lucky numbers were six, 25, 33, 37, 42, 43 - a set of numbers that they have used since the inception of the syndicate.

The winners are Andy, Arthur and Jayne Whitaker, Kieron McNamara, Peter Lewis, Michael Keegan, Garry Sherringham, Steve Goodyear, Jimmy Ostle, Liz Hollins and June McSherry.

Two further members have asked to remain anonymous.

ASK Rewind specialises in repairing and rewinding motors.