It was you!

Evening Press Supershare '98 entrants Michelle Coughlin and electrician husband Garry, of Sandy Lane, Stockton-on-the-Forest, BOTH have the distinction of having the worst portfolios in the competition.

Michelle shrieked with laughter when she heard, last Friday, that Garry's fantasy £10,000 had withered to a paltry £9,024.54. "He was so sure of himself, so certain he'd be up there in the top 100," she giggled.

Then, a few days later, Michelle learned that her own portfolio had twice ranked last, the latest being the bottom of a growing 9,000 entry pile. "But Garry was my financial adviser," said Michelle, as she learned that in spite of a rising market she managed to lose £766.04 on her £10,000 stake, a feat that, thankfully, no other entrant can match.

"Sorry, she had some input into all this," said twinkle-eyed Garry, looking at her pleadingly to come to his rescue. Then he said: "But it's really all part of my master plan. At the bottom of the pile on one day, at the top the next.

"Didn't I win £1,000 at the Evening Press-Walsh Lucas Money Show in 1995 when my name was drawn from a hat by the Lord Mayor of York in a competition to answer financial questions? Watch this space!"

However, Supershare '98 sponsors, Walsh Lucas, the independent advisers, thought that having two losers in one household was worth a one-off reward. The couple were presented with four £5 coins as mementoes of their failed attempt to win the £2,000 first prize and £1,000 runner's-up pot. One coin each will be given by Garry and Michelle to their three children, Harrietanne, three, Liam, two, and Lydia, one. The final coin will go to the baby Michelle is expecting.

Could YOU do better than Garry and Michelle? Buy the Evening Press for your entry form, and the latest winners of the day.

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