A LOTTERY winner from Kidderminster has described his “surreal and unbelievable” experience meeting Hollywood star George Clooney at a charity gala.

Mark Roelink, who works as a self-employed electrician, scooped £125,000 with People’s Postcode Lottery in September last year and was given an exclusive invitation to the lottery’s annual charity gala, held at Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall in March.

The event, which was attended by George and his wife, international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, was a celebration of the vitally important work done by all the charities which are supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Mark Roelink and his partner Kerstin, who works as a teacher, were part of a small group of winners given the rare opportunity to attend a VIP reception with the famous couple, where they chatted and had their photograph taken.

Mark, aged 50, said: “If you’d told me last year that not only would I have won the lottery, but that I’d also be mingling with Hollywood royalty then I would have never believed you.

"It’s been a total dream come true and the most wonderful experience.

“Amal and George were both really lovely and so approachable.

"My daughter Carly is a junior solicitor and she loves Amal and everything that she stands for.

"When I mentioned this to Amal she said Carly should get in contact with her, so who knows what could happen next.”

The Clooneys aren’t the only new friends Mark has made thanks to his lottery win. He’s also struck up a friendship with X Factor star and People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, Danyl Johnson.

Mark said: “I’m in a band called Secret Cabaret and when Danyl presented me with my cheque we bonded over our love of music and swapped numbers.

"We might be playing together at a festival later in the year, so besides winning I’ve got a new buddy and lots of exciting things coming up because of it.”

On the night of the charity gala, the Clooneys received a cheque for £1 million raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The money will help fund TrialWatch - a project run by the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which monitors trials in countries where human rights are at risk.

Clara Govier, managing director of People's Postcode Lottery, said: "I’m thrilled Mark and Kerstin had a great night. The event provided a powerful demonstration of how our players are changing lives for the better here in Britain and around the world."