A COUPLE who doubled their winnings in a £1million lottery jackpot have revealed why they didn't want to claim the huge prize.

Joanne and Paul Tomlinson came away with a combined total of £181,818 after their Manchester street won the Postcode Lottery draw.

But the couple were at first wary about claiming the prize – because they thought it was a scam.

Mum-of-four Joanne, 38, said: "The email came from Edinburgh and Paul said not to give any bank details.

"Then we got a phone number from a woman asking if she could come to our house to reveal our prize. 

"We started to feel like it might be real."

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Postcode Lottery star Jeff Brazier turned up at the couple's house and pulled out a cheque for £90,909 – before producing another identical check to double their winnings.

Joanne said: "It was just a shock, both of us were in complete shock.

"Neither of us could speak. They were trying to get us to do an interview – but nothing would come out."

Paul, 40, and Joanne split a £1million jackpot with eight neighbours on their street.

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The couple's lottery win has transformed their fortunes – after Paul had to give up his job when he got covid-19.

Joanne said: "Paul has been out of work for six months as he has long Covid, asthma and vertigo.

"He was really ill in the lockdown and then kept going dizzy, which can't happen when you are driving a bus – he had to give up work.

"It has worked out absolutely perfectly, it could not have come at a better time."

The delighted couple now plan to buy the rented house they have lived in for eleven years.

Joanne said: "Our neighbours are really pleased for us, as are our family.

"We are happy here and now we can buy it and not have a landlord – it has finally given us some security."

It comes after a gran who had to sleep in a 'man cave' in her garden says her life has now changed forever – after she won £400,000 in the lottery.

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