First of Five UK Lotto Jackpot Prizes Claimed
Last Updated: Friday 21st March 2014, 17:00
The first UK Lotto jackpot winner from the draw on Wednesday 4th December 2013 has come forward to claim their share of the prize. The jackpot, which was a double rollover worth £7.5 million, was shared by five ticket holders who successfully matched all six main numbers to scoop just over £1.5 million each.
The winning ticket belonged to a family syndicate of seven from Pontefract, led by Ann Eccles, 75. Ann formed the syndicate in 2004 after the death of her husband, Colin, and continued to use the same numbers he had been playing since 1994 which were based on the birthdays of their children, who are now part of the syndicate.
The syndicate comprised of Ann’s five sons, Colin, David, Peter, Mark and Jason and her daughter Susan. The winning numbers were 6 (Peter’s birth date), 12 (Mark’s birth date), 16 (Jason’s birth date), 18 (both Ann and David’s birth date), 21 (Colin’s birth date) and 29 (Susan’s birthdate). The Bonus Ball was 26.
“I still can’t believe the news that we’ve won,” Ann told lottery officials upon claiming her family’s prize. “I haven’t slept a wink since I found out, I’ve been so excited! With my birthday next week and Christmas two weeks away this fantastic Lotto win couldn’t have come at a better time!”
Each syndicate member will pocket £216,314 and, after treating all ninety members of her family to a slap up meal, Ann intends to use her share of the winnings to pay off a loan against her home and then take a cruise holiday with some friends instead of her usual coach trip.
If you have not yet checked your lottery tickets from last Wednesday’s draw now is the time to do so as there are four jackpot winning tickets still to be claimed! The full results can be found by visiting the UK Lotto Results page.
Meanwhile, if you fancy following in the footsteps of the Eccles family and play for your chance to win a Lotto jackpot just in time for Christmas, there is a brand new jackpot worth £2.2 million on offer tonight. Tickets can be purchased online until 19.30 GMT tonight by visiting the Lottery Tickets page. Good luck!