Syndicate celebrates scooping £1 million

Lotto: Workers at factory in Coupar Angus will each receive £62,500

Sixteen workers from a Tayside manufacturing firm are celebrating after winning £1 million on the lottery.

The staff, from M J Ventilation Ltd in Coupar Angus, scooped the prize after starting a syndicate in January.

It is understood some of the winners used to work at Galloway Group at Dundee before they were made redundant when the company went into administration.

The winners each stand to get £62,500.

Darren Graham, 35, a project manager at MJV, told of the staff members’ delight.

Mr Graham explained: “There were a few people celebrating last night.

“The syndicate has been on the go since January and this is our first big win. I think this is a first for the area but the staff are delighted. We are liaising with the Lottery at the moment and our managing director coming back from holiday next week.”

Robin Barron, general manager of East of Scotland Farmers Ltd in Coupar Angus, said he was “delighted”.

Mr Barron added: “It is great for them – it is always nice to hear about things like that happening to people in the local community.

“You always hear stories about it happening to people elsewhere but when it is someone local it is a great thing. I wish all of them the best of luck in the future.”

Alan Grant, a councillor for the Strathmore area where the factory is based, offered his congratulations.

He said: “I am very pleased for the 16 people. It is great that working folk have won a life-changing sum of money. It just shows what collaboration can do.”

Connie Gibson, 35, a full-time mum, has lived in the area for three years.

She said: “My partner works there but I believe it is the office staff who have won and I’m absolutely delighted for them. I just hope lightning strikes twice.”

A spokeswoman for Camelot, which runs the Lottery, said it could not comment on the win.

There were a few people celebrating last night. DARREN GRAHAM