A 66-year-old from Great Yarmouth is celebrating a Thunderball win and a clean bill of health twelve months on from the day he had surgery for kidney cancer.

John Lingard celebrated his £500,000 Thunderball win on Gorleston beach with friends in recognition of his amazing turn of fortune. 

The computer maintenance engineer had discovered he had cancer after experiencing symptoms on a flight returning from Tenerife last year and underwent surgery to remove one of his kidneys. 

Mr Lingard celebrates on Gorleston BeachMr Lingard celebrating on Gorleston beach (Image: Bonce PR/ National Lottery) Now he says he intends to make the most of the life-changing year. 

“When I was first diagnosed I would head to Gorleston beach to find some peace and process the implications of my treatment," he said. 

READ MORE: Norfolk locals win £1.3m in October's Premium Bonds prize draw

“It’s crazy to think that at the start of the year, I would come to the beach to find inner peace in all the turmoil of the treatment and my worries about the future.

"I couldn’t have dreamt that less than 12 months later I would be here celebrating a National Lottery win.”

Mr Lingard enjoys holidaying in Tenerife (Image: Bonce PR/ National Lottery) Mr Lingard, who loves spending time on the Spanish island, plans to head back for a winter break. 

"Thanks to my Thunderball luck, I can afford to take a week off – unpaid – and head back for a little winter sun and to celebrate with my friends over there," he added. 

“I may also do a little house-hunting while I’m on the island.

"It would be nice to have a bolt-hole for the future and it will also be a way to share my good fortune with those closest to me who will be able to use it for their holidays too.”

Mr Lingard says he has no plans to retire anytime soon and will continue working part-time while making the most of every moment.