A WELCOME

It was “ker-ching” for seven neighbours in Kilmarnock when they won a share of £240,000.

An aircraft fitter, a nursery worker and a court officer were among the lucky residents of Thomas Baird Gardens with six of them each scooping £30,000 – and one extrafortunate winner doubling their windfall to £60,000 thanks to playing with two tickets!

Neil Band, a 54-year-old aircraft worker, described the win as a bolt from the blue and said: “When I first opened the envelope I thought ‘holy hell’.

“This has been a really bad year, so the win has come as a welcome bit of news, especially with it leading up to Christmas.”

And Neil is going to treat his mum, who’s soon to celebrate her 80th birthday: “I’ll sort her out with some double-glazing,” he said.

Nursery worker Jennifer Shaw, 47, said it was “just like a dream”.

The mum-of-two has already decided she’ll spend her prize money

SHARING THE JOY Neil Band (top), Grace Brown (left) and Jennifer Shaw with husband Jamie

In the money A cash prize could be yours

“I’d love to go to Tennessee and Graceland once Covid is over,” she said. “I watched the TV series Nashville, and just loved the whole atmosphere – I fancy doing something completely different!”

And, she smiled: “I suppose I’d better take Jamie, my other half!

“I’ve never had this kind of money. This will make such a difference to my life and my kids’ lives too.”

Grace Brown, 42, said: “I’m meant to be in Florida but it was cancelled, so this definitely makes up for not being there right now.”

She was planning to treat her three daughters with her win – including a little car for her eldest who had her driving test coming up – and open a bottle of champagne that’s been in the cupboard since her 40th: “I’ve been looking for an excuse to break it out. It’s not every day you win People’s Postcode Lottery!”