A SHENZHEN driver who won 25 million yuan (US$3.21 million), Shenzhen's largest lottery prize, in the China Welfare Lottery on Sunday (Jan 14) said he plans to continue working even after receiving his fortune, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.

The driver, whose name was not disclosed, is a migrant from Sichuan Province. When he collected his prize Tuesday he appeared calm, Chinese-language media reports said.

The man, in his 30s, said he picked the winning numbers using "just my intuition, and a lucky number is my birthday." He started buying welfare lottery tickets five years ago.

"I remember I won 50 yuan when I bought a lottery for the first time." The man said he purchased between 10 and 20 yuan of lottery tickets daily, but never imagined he would win the top prize.

"I gave a look at the winning numbers when I walked past a lottery outlet to have lunch the next day, and felt the numbers look familiar," he said.

But he didn't check his lottery ticket until after lunch. "I know I won the top prize. I was surprised but I was not as excited as people expected to be if they knew they won so much money."

The man is still single and hasn't told any friends or relatives about his windfall so far. He said he would keep the money in a bank for some time while he is considering what to do with it.

"I will probably apply to study in university, to fulfill my college dream," said the driver who was forced to drop out of university because his family couldn't afford the tuition fees.

He said he would also donate part of the prize money to his village back in Sichuan when he goes home for the traditional Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival, next month.

The man came to Shenzhen in 2002 after his mother passed away and has since worked in Longgang District as a driver.

The record amount of prize money catapulted him into the media spotlight. The man reportedly has turned down several interview requests by local media.

On Tuesday, some reports on the popular Web portal sina.com and other media outlets said the man had moved into a hotel fearing for his safety.

The driver dismissed the reports, saying his life won't change much but goes on as usual.

"It is the largest amount in China so far," said an employee at the lottery center. The employee, who declined to be named, said he was nervous when handling the winning ticket.

Editor: Wing