Monopoly poem man banks Christmas jackpot

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A HASLEMERE man’s pockets will be a little heavier this Christmas after he won more than £20,000 in a Monopoly competition.

Alastair Pildrow entered a contest marking the 75th anniversary of the popular board game, beating thousands of other entries to win the equivalent of the Monopoly bank in real money.

He was presented with a cheque for £20,580 by game manufacturer Hasbro, with the promise that the money would be with him in time for Christmas.

“It makes it much more real to have the cheque in my hands now,” he said.

“You hear about people winning these kinds of competitions but you never think it will be you.

“I haven’t told my family yet, but maybe they’ll believe me now that I have some proof."

Mr Pilbrow, who grew up in Godalming, was awarded the prize for his poem outlining how he would spend the money.

It could only contain 75 words, and his was chosen from a final shortlist of 75 entries.

He entertained judges with such lines as: “My house dreams could finally advance to Go, and with Chance and Bank permitting, even grow.”

Mr Pilbrow plans to invest most of his winnings, but he is looking forward to buying a new house in the Haslemere area where he has lived for the past five years.

The 42-year-old, who works for Royal Mail in Woking, said he had fond memories of playing Monopoly with family and friends.

Louise Nigro of Hasbro said: “We were delighted with Alastair’s essay, it captures the game play of Monopoly in a warming way.

“Choosing a winner was no mean feat – it was a close competition. We hope Alastair enjoys his prize.”