MORE than £26 million worth of prize bonds were bought last year - the largest amount ever purchased since their introduction almost 40 years ago. In all, £26.3 million worth of bonds were purchased, according to the Prize Bonds Company. The fund now stands at £131 million.

According to the company, 22,643 prize bond holders won tax-free cash prizes between £100 and £1,00,000 in the weekly draws. During the year £4.5 million in prizes was paid out.