A NEWTON Abbot man has won a luxury Jaguar F-Type worth £55,000 in an online competition – but says he plans to take the cash alternative instead.

Josh Douglas, 25, was left stunned after competition firm BOTB contacted him just after he had finished a night shift to reveal he had won the spectacular sports car.

Josh, who works as a line painter on roads and in buildings, had no idea what prize awaited him after being automatically entered into some of BOTB’s competitions as a BOTB Pass member.

‘I was very shocked by the car and was just not expecting it’, he said following the surprise reveal by presenter Nicole Jeffery.

While the Jaguar is a dream prize for many motoring enthusiasts, Josh has decided that the cash alternative makes more sense for him.

He recently bought a Volkswagen Tiguan and regularly takes his grandparents out, meaning the two-seater Jaguar would not be particularly practical.

His fiancée is also travelling from the US with her children, making the prospect of having a larger amount of cash even more appealing.

Josh said the money could have a major impact on his life, with plans already in place to pay off his debts and repay family members who have supported him.

‘The cash alternative is a massive life-changer’, he said.

‘I’ve got a plan in place that involves paying off all my debts and finally being able to pay back family members that have helped me over the years’.

News of the win has already sparked plenty of reaction among friends and family, with Josh saying people have been both disbelieving and quick to offer suggestions about what he should do with the money.

BOTB presenter Nicole Jeffery said the surprise reveal was exactly what the company hoped for, adding that while the F-Type is an ‘incredible prize’, the cash option allows winners to choose what best suits their circumstances.

Founded in 1999, BOTB says it has awarded prizes to more than one million people, including cars worth a combined £170 million.