Four lucky neighbours near Bristol share £140,000 lottery win - and plan to spend big

A group of neighbours in Thornbury will split £140,000 after winning the People’s Postcode Lottery including a couple celebrating their ruby wedding anniversary and their bridesmaid.

Four residents pocketed prize cheques for £30,000 and a £5,000 holiday prize after their postcode, BS35 2DY, was announced as a winner yesterday (February 26).

Stephen Monks, 61, and his wife Debra were thrilled to discover their postcode had bagged them a £35,000 prize. “I never thought we’d get a knock on the door from the Postcode Lottery. It’s brilliant, absolutely brilliant,” Stephen said.

The couple is celebrating 40 years of marriage this year and intend on using the money to pay for a holiday to “somewhere nice and sunny, near the beach to celebrate”.

As well as the Monks, Debra’s bridesmaid and childhood friend, Samantha Walker also received a £35,000 cash windfall from the subscription lottery.

She said: “Not in a million years did I think this would happen to someone like me. Debra and I grew up together and it is lovely to think we’ve both won. I was born and bred in Thornbury, it’s a very well-known family.

“It’s come at a fantastic time - we can get a new shed, a new bathroom and we can go on holiday. I think we’ll go on a cruise or try somewhere different. The Caribbean would be nice or Italy because I’ve never been. I play skittles, so the celebration will probably be a round of drinks at the skittle alley tonight.”

Elsewhere on the street, Richard Cahill is planning a special trip to Lapland and some home improvements. “This win is awesome, absolutely awesome. I feel shocked but amazed.” He admitted.

“My wife and I have been chatting about taking our little boy to Lapland for Christmas. So, we’ll go on a lovely holiday together. We’ll spruce up the house a little bit. The porch is looking a little bit tired at the moment and we’ll maybe do the bathroom as well.”

The other winner chose to remain anonymous.