Bravo Buckhurst Hill

Tony Anderson was in the supermarket with partner Tracey Jolley looking for their favourite flavoured tipple when he got a call to say he was a winner.

Tony, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, said: "I was in Tesco doing the shopping when I took the phone call. We were looking for flavoured gin, it's our favourite. I was going round the aisle saying, 'I've won the Postcode Lottery, I've won the Postcode Lottery'."

Tony and four other neighbours celebrated after IG9 5EE in Buckhurst Hill - where notorious 18th century highwayman Dick Turpin once lived - landed today's £250,000 prize.

Players in the winning postcode bagged £250,000 for every ticket they have. Tony and another neighbour each won £500,000 with two tickets, while three others landed £250,000 each with one ticket.

Now he and Tracey plan to fulfil their dream of owning a caravan, as well as going travelling and helping family.

Kind-hearted Tony told how he got two tickets because he always likes to double up for his beloved Tracey.

The former hospital theatre cleaner said: "She's my twin. Whatever I do, I do twice. We'll pop the champagne and talk about what we really want to do."

"I do want to get a nice holiday caravan. And I'll definitely be banking a lot. I've got a nice home, a nice missus and a nice car. But we're going to have fun... holidays and just enjoy our life."

Homeless charity worker Tracey, is ready to dust down her passport and tick off bucket list destinations.

Tracey said: "No way. No! No way. Oh my God. I don't even believe it. This is going to change our lives. This is the first time I've won anything apart from something at the school fete when I was seven.

"We've been talking about buying a caravan for the last two years. Somewhere for the grandchildren to go to. I’d been thinking about Clacton, but I don't know now because my mind's all over the place."

Libby Coates picked up fiancé Chris Cordle's quarter of a million pounds cheque while he was at work - then revealed there were two reasons why they might never have won.

First, the mum-of-two had urged Chris to ditch Postcode Lottery as they saved up for their wedding.

And they won with an old postcode from two years ago despite having moved home FOUR TIMES since.

Interior designer Libby said she was relieved her husband-to-be stood his ground and refused to cancel his direct debit - as she burst into tears when his prize was revealed.

She said: "We've been trying to save some money as we’re getting married at the end of August. I asked if the Postcode Lottery was a necessity. He said, 'yes absolutely'."

Now she’s excitedly making plans to pimp up their wedding - and might sneak in a little luxury for herself.

At first she exclaimed on seeing the winnings: "Free bar!", then said: "We've got the wedding food tasting next week to try bits and bobs. We'll splurge a bit more on food and drink and get a band."

When he was shown the cheque over a WhatsApp video call, Chris whooped: "That's crazy. Wow! Did she tell you we're getting married?"

The construction firm project director added: "We'll have a glass of champagne at home. I'm overwhelmed and shocked. That is mental."

Deserving Causes

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Support Trust. Supported by our players, this trust’s mission is to support people who need help to live happy and more fulfilled lives.

Players aren't the only ones who benefit from People's Postcode Lottery. A minimum of 30% of each ticket price goes to charities and good causes. Thanks to our fantastic players, more than £1.5 Billion has been raised for thousands of deserving projects.

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