A BLIND chess champion has become the latest beneficiary of EuroMillions winners Colin and Chris Weir.

Stephen Hilton, 50, of Greenock, was contacted by the couple after they read an article about his efforts to attend championships across the world.

Following the donation, Mr Hilton, who has had an eye defect from birth and suffers from a number of disabilities, will travel to India next week for the 14th International Braille Chess Association Olympiad.

He will also buy training software that will allow him to analyse his own game as well as that of his competitors.

The Weirs, of Largs, won £161 million with a single EuroMillions ticket bought from a local shop.

The couple, who donated £1m to the SNP following their win, have since supported a number of up-and-coming sportsmen in their area and funded several local good causes.

Mr Hilton said: "I can't thank Chris and Colin enough for their support. It is hard to measure in monetary terms what this donation will do for me or what it means to me personally.

"But with this software, I can train every day and prepare properly for every competition in a more structured way, significantly improving my chances of success on the world stage. This support will let me represent Inverclyde and Scotland to the best of my ability. I am now even more determined to win the tourney in Chennai and encourage others to get involved."

Earlier this week, The Herald reported that a 13-year-old cancer sufferer who fell over while carrying the Olympic Torch because of his heavy artificial limb will receive a lightweight leg thanks to the Weirs.

Chris Weir, who is in the process of setting up a charitable trust, said: "Stephen's determination to represent his country is admirable, as is his hard work on behalf of the sport he loves.

"Both his ambitions and undoubted talent for chess deserve to be supported and we are delighted to be in a position to do that.

"We wish him well and will be following closely as Stephen represents Scotland and Inverclyde in the world championships in Chennai."