WHEELCHAIR-bound Ken Grout thought his dreams had come true when he read a newspaper article naming him as the winner of £12m.

The article had been sent to him in a handwritten envelope and mentioned where he lived as well as other personal details. But Hampshire Trading Standards believe the article by "Gabriel Angel" is a cruel hoax.

Unlike the hundreds of other scam letters Mr Grout has received over the past two years since moving to Heath Road, Fareham, this one did not ask him to send any money and looked like a real newspaper.

He thought it was the stroke of good luck he deserved after becoming paralysed from the waist down in an accident at work 21 years ago and following the tragic death of his wife from cancer four years ago.

The father of four, who suffers continual leg pain, finally thought he had enough money to replace his old wheelchair that he fears is on the verge of collapsing.

Former DIY store floor manager Mr Grout, 65, said: "I was excited when I read it. It came in a hand-written envelope and looked very professional.

"I wanted to buy another wheelchair because this one is rusty. I'm terrified it's going to collapse and I'll get hurt on the metal. A wheel has already fallen off once.

"I have been getting junk letters for years asking me to send money to win a big prize but I never send them anything. It's strange that this one doesn't ask for money and I thought it might be real."

Jon Whale, Trading Standards manager, said: "Hampshire Trading Standards has not yet received any complaints about this particular lottery promotion. We always advise residents that if they have not entered a lottery or competition it is highly unlikely they will have won a prize.

"This type of marketing is widespread, especially now people can be targeted via e-mail and mobile phones as well as post. A good thing to remember when opening mailshots is that if it looks too good to be true it probably is."

Anyone who receives a suspicious letter should contact Hampshire Trading Standards on 0845 6030081.