Glee For Burnham-on-Sea

A group of OAP neighbours, including a World War 2 Marine, are real GOLDEN oldies now after scooping huge lottery wins. The five pensioners, of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, each bagged the biggest cheques in our monthly Postcode Millions draw.

Generation Gain

Military veteran Bernard becomes the oldest ever big-prize winner at the age of 98. People's Postcode Lottery Presenter Jeff Brazier - watched by three generations of his family - revealed a cheque for £228,571.

But he was stunned when he was then given another two golden envelopes, each containing the same amount - because he played with three tickets. To gasps of amazement from his tearful family, it meant Bernard pocketed a total of £685,713. Humble Bernard - who joined the Royal Marines aged 17 in the middle of WW2 - said, "I never thought I'd win, I just hoped.

"Now that I've seen it - fantastic! The family are all going to get something."

Bernard shared the September Millions joy with four neighbours in postcode TA8 2BQ. Each ticket was worth £228,571 - but he tripled it.

The rest of the £3.2 Million prize was shared among 1,053 people in the wider postcode area of TA8 2.

Bernard, who served all over the world in the Armed Forces, started playing People's Postcode Lottery with his wife, Doris, who passed away in 2017.

Bernard - who was also supported by his daughter, granddaughter, grandson and great granddaughter - said, "When we started the lottery, my wife and I said that if we ever won, we must share it with family. Unfortunately, she's not here anymore.

"My daughter will get the most because she has been fantastic. She took over from my wife when she died and looked after me every day."

He added, "It amazed me when you gave me the first cheque, then I got two other envelopes with the same amount in all three. My wife would be thrilled."

Son-in-law Alan quipped, "You can retire now, dad." Daughter Marie added, "He can get a super-charged scooter."

But there were more family fortunes when they discovered they'd each won cheques for £1,334 - because they all live in the wider TA8 2 postcode area.

Shirl Thrill

Across the street, Shirley was stunned when her cheque was revealed - then said it was all down to her late husband Les, who died of cancer four years ago.

Dinner lady Shirley said, "My husband always loved doing the Postcode Lottery, but he passed away four years ago.

"I wanted to keep it going, so I changed it over to my name.

"It seems as if he's looking down on me and looking after his sons and grandchildren."

Now she's planning to treat her two boys and six grandchildren, as well as staff at the nearby primary school in which she works. She said, "I'll buy doughnuts for all the teachers and staff at the school.

"I'm excited and very, very nervous. I'm not used to things like this. I'm just a down-to-earth person."

Her son Mark, a warehouse supervisor, said, "This is a bit of good news for a change."

Hol Of A Win

Diagonally opposite, former lorry driver Peter joked that he'd give wife Joyce a little slice of his £228,571 winnings. Dad-of-two Peter said, "As Victor Meldrew said, 'I don't believe it'. I'll give her £571 and I'll decide what to do with the rest."

Joyce said, "Oh my God, I can't believe it. It can't be that much, surely."

The great grandparents now plan to visit grandson Gavin, wife Myra and their one-year-old lad in Ohio, USA - and Peter's brother Donald, near Auckland in New Zealand's North Island.

Joyce said, "We'll get a taxi to the airport in London and fly Club Class.

"We've done a lot of travelling and have seen a lot of the world. But it would be great to see more. Dreams really do come true."

Prize Surprise

Directly opposite, winner John and his wife Alison said they'd love to go on a Nordic cruise - as well as look after their three kids and seven grandchildren.

Retired hospital porter John said, "We'll treat the kids, but we're going to have a holiday. After that, we'll sit down and think how to invest it."

Alison, a retired phlebotomist, added, "This is unbelievable. It means everything - great happiness."

People's Postcode Lottery Presenter Jeff Brazier said, "Someone's knocking on your shore! It's been a cracking day at the seaside, handing out life-changing cheques to our biggest winners in the full winning postcode. I'm sure they'll be celebrating all weekend long!

"And it's amazing that over 1,050 people have each scooped a tidy four-figure sum. Congratulations Burnham-on-Sea!"

Good Causes Everywhere

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Earth Trust (opens in a new tab). Supported by our players, this Trust has a mission to support appreciation of the natural, creative and built environment through activities that promote awareness and understanding. Benefiting charities include Friends of the Earth, Canal & River Trust and The Conservation Volunteers.

Local good causes have also benefited from player support. This year, Seed of Hope CIC in Bridgwater was awarded £25,000 to support people with mental health problems. The charity helps provide recovery-based support and care, using social and therapeutic horticulture.

With 33% of the ticket price going to deserving projects, players of People's Postcode Lottery have now raised more than £1.1 Billion for thousands of charities and good causes across Great Britain, as well as internationally.

Have you been thinking about playing People's Postcode Lottery but not set up your subscription yet? There are Prizes announced every day! Find out more about How It Works. Sign up to play and join the fun.