A COUPLE who won £100,000 a month for an entire year say that they will have their first carefree Christmas for two decades.

Craig Harrison, 60, and his partner Debbie Piper, 58, won the top prize on a National Lottery 12 Pays of Christmas scratch card.

The couple, who have been together for 35 years, run the beachside Jolly Sailors pub in Lowestoft.

For the last 20 years they have spent Christmas Day serving regulars their roast turkey.

After they scooped the top prize in the scratch card contest, the couple are looking forward to Christmas at home with their family.

Craig said: "We've been in the pub trade pretty much all our working lives so we're used to helping the people of Lowestoft celebrate Christmas, reserving our family celebrations for another day.

"Not this year – instead of rushing about opening up for our regulars so they celebrate the big day, we'll be thinking about a relaxed Christmas lunch for seven!"

Craig credited his unusual working week as a pub landlord for his big win.

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He said: "Given the industry we're in, Monday is our Sunday so I always cook a big Monday roast for the whole family.

"Last week I went to put the roast potatoes on when I realised we were out of cooking oil.

"Just about to head to our local shop to grab some, Debbie asked me to go to the Co-Op instead so I could drop off some washing at the launderette on the way.

"While there I decided to treat us both to a National Lottery ‘12 Pays of Christmas’ Scratchcard. 

"“I can’t help thinking, if it weren’t for cooking oil and that bag of dirty laundry, I wouldn’t have been in the right place at the right time and we wouldn’t now be banking £100,000 a month for a year!”

As well as enjoying a restful Christmas, the couple plan to buy a new house and a beach hut.

Craig said: "Debbie loves gardening and I think in time we will look for a place of our own where Debbie can create her dream garden.

“And while a roof over our heads is high on the list, we all love our home town and the beach so we’re going to add one more roof to the list and buy a beach hut on Pakefield Beach for the whole family to enjoy together.”

Debbie will also swap wine bottles for baby bottles, giving up her job in the pub to help the couple's two daughters with their new babies.

Craig and Debbie have one granddaughter and another grandchild on the way.

Debbie said: “I’m still in shock, this will open doors that we couldn’t have dreamt of.

"Not only helping our family, which is obviously the best bit, but also enjoying carefree moments.

"Craig watches a TV show about The Savoy and we joked we’d save up to go for a meal one day, now we can go for a meal, and stay the night!

"And the ladies watch I have always dreamt of owning, a very pretty Rolex, may eventually make its way from the jewellers window onto my wrist!"

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Punters who buy a 12 Pays of Christmas scratch card have a 1 in 3.18 chance of winning a prize.

The scratch card costs a fiver, and prizes range from £5 to the top prize of £100,000 a month for a year.

Advice for safe gambling

GambleAware says that following this advice can help you stay safe if you gamble:

Set a money limit in advance

Walk away from your losses

Treat gambling as an entertainment expense

Set a time limit in advance

Be aware of how you're feeling

Keep other entertainments in the mix

Take frequent breaks

Source: Be Gamble Aware

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