But while there will no doubt be a flurry of last-gasp ticket buying on Tuesday, what would you actually do with the money if you won?

Obviously, you will want a new gaffe. And fortunately, it would be possible to amass a portfolio of several of the most exclusive homes in the West Midlands without making too much of a dent in your nest-egg.

Grindley House Farm, 10 miles north-east of Stafford looks like a good place to start. The main farmhouse offers 5,224 sq ft of living space, with an outdoor pool which will come in handy if we get a nice summer. The world–renowned Repton School isn’t far away either. A snip at just £5 million.

While you’re at it, you might as well snap up Bradford House, a 17th century manor-house in Belbroughton near Stourbridge, with 33 acres of grounds. seven bedrooms, six reception rooms, stables for 11 horses and a gym. Yours for £4.5 million.

If tennis is more your sport, Paddock Estate in Kinnerley, near Oswestry has its own courts, as well as heated indoor pool and sauna. There are also four luxury lodges and three smaller chalets, should you wish to throw a party. All for just £3.9 million.

Indeed, you could easily put together a portfolio of 50 or so such properties with your winnings. But money cannot buy good weather, so you will probably want a nice little holiday home in the sunshine.

Christie’s has quite a nice villa at the trendy La Zagaleta district of Marbella going for £25 million, set in a nice gated community where you can live undisturbed by the riff-raff. The property includes a basement ‘dedicated to relaxation and…