Street Prize Swoops To Leighton Buzzard

Eight players in Leighton Buzzard have a lot to celebrate this week after winning £30,000 each. Their lucky postcode, LU7 3UR, was drawn as the winner of Saturday's Street Prize.

Tracy Draper was joined by her husband Sean when she was presented with her cheque. "It hasn't hit home yet," she said. Tracy works in a bank, and so is used to handling other peoples' money - but she is at a loss about what to do with her own now! "I have no idea how to spend it," she said. "I decided to sign up after seeing two people win in Leighton Buzzard last year so I thought I'd take a chance. It was a good decision."

Tina Ball was equally delighted to be given her cheque. "I'll be sharing this with the love of my life – my daughter Donna. She would like a new car and I'll be getting my patio done and a new gate. I'm sure we'll both be spoiling my two grandchildren too."

Lynn Vines was excited about something other than the money. "I was more interested in meeting Jeff!" she said. "He's so lovely." Lynn, who works as a cleaner, has her husband Rob, three daughters, and one granddaughter to celebrate with. "I'm very happy," she said. "It's just starting to sink in now."

Retired design engineer Stephen Morris was joined by his wife Hilary when he found out how much he had won. "It's a real surprise," he said. "We were in the middle of having our conservatory changed so it's paid for that. We're both still so taken aback by it all."

Emma Venner, who works as a helpline manager for a local charity, wants to treat her family with her win. "There are about 20 of us so I'll treat everyone to a meal," she said. "My husband Shaun and I have always fancied a cruise, so that could be on the cards. I know some of my neighbours, but it was so lovely to get to know them all in such good circumstances. We all have something to discuss on dog walks now."

Colin Janes was also happy to be winning with his neighbours. He said, "It's something for the whole community to enjoy, which is just cracking. It's fantastic that so much of the money goes to good causes too, so everyone's a winner."

There were two other winners who were not available to receive their cheques in person, but their winnings will be transferred directly into their bank accounts.

Street Prize Presenter Jeff Brazier said, "I can't believe I'm back in Leighton Buzzard so soon. I was here in November handing out cheques to lucky winners, and today there are even more. I'm sure the neighbours today will have fun spending their winnings."

A minimum of 30% of the ticket price goes to charities. To date, players of People's Postcode Lottery have raised over £212 Million for more than 2,800 good causes across Great Britain and internationally.

It's not the first time a win has landed in Leighton Buzzard. In November 2016, two lucky ladies from Leighton Buzzard won £25,000 each when their postcode, LU7 3NF, was drawn as a Saturday Street Prize winner.

There were more celebrations this weekend, as lucky Edinburgh players in postcode EH7 5TN scooped £30,000 each in Sunday's Street Prize.