Residents say they are living on the "luckiest street in Nottingham" after eight neighbours won a combined £270,000 in the postcode lottery. Those living in Newton Close in Arnold were told the news that they are now £30,000 richer when their NG5 6RT postcode was selected.
The biggest winners were Denise Bell, 71, and Alan Shaw, 74, who came away with a massive £90,000, as Denise bought two tickets by mistake, meaning she scooped £60,000 while her partner was awarded £30,000. The pair, who have been engaged for the past 29 years, now plan to finally tie the knot in Las Vegas. Before that though, Denise needs to buy a new hip.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live from their living room, the happy couple have said this money will completely change their lives. Denise said: "We were told about it on Tuesday morning, about two hours before they turned up. He [Alan] thought the man who showed up was a conman! He didn't believe it was real. It feels like we're in a dream, we still can't quite believe it."
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The pair met about 32 years ago and got engaged after Alan proposed in Asda while Denise worked as a cashier on the checkouts. They both admitted that life had got in the way and they had delayed getting married several times. It's been a busy year for them so far, as they only got their puppy Dylan 10 weeks before their big win. Alan had driven to Liverpool to collect him before surprising Denise as she got out of hospital.
Mr Shaw told Nottinghamshire Live: "We'd been planning to do it over the last few years but Denise went in hospital and had a few operations, so we weren't sure whether it would be possible. My daughter talked us into it, we had a few drinks and we thought 'yeah let's do it'. She had the idea of Vegas as well.
"My son in law has said that for the stag do we are going to go away for the weekend and all dress up like Elvis."
Lesley Mayo, meanwhile, has lived on Newton Close for four years - but unfortunately does not play the postcode lottery. She said: "We're not in the postcode lottery - I'm gutted! But very happy for everyone. One of the sons of the winners told my daughter about it, that's how we first knew.
"We play the lottery, but not the postcode lottery. I'm very pleased for the winners."
Another person, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I think this must be the luckiest street in Nottingham. It's a hell of a lot of money. Some lovely people live round here so I'm chuffed to bits for them, I really am.
"It's sod's law isn't it, because everytime I enter one of these things I never win. But you've got to be in it to win it."
Another winner was Chris Adams, 47, who picked up a cheque for £30,000. He found out about his prize alongside his wife Emma and the pair were left gobsmacked after catching a glimpse of their winning cheque. Chris said: "Oh my goodness! That's a bit more than a tenner that."
Emma added: "It's incredible! We really weren't expecting that."
The dad-of-two said he'd be taking his family on a long-awaited holiday abroad using some of the winnings. Emma, who works as a teacher at a local primary school, laughed in disbelief and said: "The kids have yet to go on an aeroplane. We've been promising them for a long time and it can finally happen."
Nottingham Forest fan Paul Hovell, 57, said he didn't think this year could get much better after his beloved Nottingham Forest were promoted to the Premier League until he won the lottery. The dad-of-two bagged £30,000 and said: "That's a lot of money to us.
"We need a holiday after the last few years, this will really give us a great holiday. It feels fantastic to know that our close friends and neighbours have won something. It's something quite special."
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