Sparkling toast for jeweller as couple mark £500,000 win

Jeweller Brian Mills, 64, and his wife Joyce 65, from Malton, said they were “over the moon” with their lucky win in the Thunderball draw.

Mr Mills discovered their good fortune last Saturday when he visited his local shop to check his numbers after buying his usual Lucky Dip ticket the previous day.

He said: “On my way to work the next day, I thought I would go into the shop to check my ticket. The shop assistant said I had to contact Camelot so I phoned them straightaway. When they said we had won the jackpot I was completely shocked – I couldn’t believe it.”

Mr Mills then called his wife to give her the good news. The couple were very excited, but they decided to keep quiet about the win until they had told their four children who live nearby.

“When we got the call back from Camelot confirming the win we were completely stunned and over the moon,” said Mr Mills. “We called the kids and invited them over for drinks and told them we had a special announcement to make.”

In addition to helping their family, Mr and Mrs Mills plan to buy their first retirement home where they can spend more time with their grandchildren. They also plan to take a romantic trip to Italy, something they have always dreamed of doing.

The winning ticket was bought from Maynews on Jubbergate in York.