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A man who took a vow of poverty has won $259.9million (£151million) on a lottery... and vowed to give most of it away.

Roy Cockrum, 58, from Nashville, Tennessee, won the cash on the Powerball lottery in the U.S. - the states biggest ever win.

He will take a lump payment of $153.5 million rather than a series of payments, but wants to use the money to help performing arts groups across the U.S.

He took a religious vow of poverty several years ago, according to abcnews, but how much he will keep for himself is unknown.

He said: "It's going to be my job to work very hard to make sure that every single penny of this prize is a blessing to whoever it touches."

He added: "I really believe the best way to prepare for this tsunami of cash has been to live under a vow of poverty for a number of years," Cockrum said. "It gives great perspective."

He took his oath with the Episcopal religious community of the Society of St John the Evangelist in Cambridge Massachusetts, taking a vow of poverty, celibacy and obedience.

Before his huge win, he spetn 20 years as an actor and stage manager on TV and in theatres.

Cockrum said in the statement that when he realized he had won the jackpot, it "literally knocked me to my knees."

After that, he said a little prayer, picked himself up, put the winning ticket in his wallet and went to pick up his mother.