Two cousins who live next door to each other have won £1 million on People’s Postcode Lottery.
Margaret Livens and cousin Joyce Ablitt, both 72, built a pair of semis with their husbands on land gifted to them by their grandfather 47 years ago.
And because they are the only two houses, the local council said they would have to name the street – and get their own postcode.
Now they are celebrating after CH64 9YA in Little Neston, Cheshire, cracked the jackpot in Postcode Lottery’s weekly Millionaire Street prize.
Retired secretary Margaret and hubby Harry, 73, each picked up £333,333 with individual tickets – and widow Joyce bagged the same, making it a real millionaire street.
Margaret said: “We built the houses ourselves. It was a real family affair. They’re the only ones on the street, so we needed our own postcode. This is just incredible.”
But, despite landing the entire prize pot, all three have told how they would give up their new fortune to get their precious dogs back.
The Livens lost beloved West Highland Terrier Chloe a month ago, and Joyce still misses her Golden Labrador Lucy.
Margaret – who’d love a big family holiday with their two daughters and four grandchildren - said: “We used to have a little square hole in the fence and the dogs used to talk to each other.
“I’d give all the money away just to see and hold them again. They are a big part of the family.”
The trio thought their good luck was a hoax at first – even after Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt turned up at their doors to tell them they’d won a prize, but not the amount.
They still found it hard to believe after being whisked up to Edinburgh to be presented with their cheques at Postcode Lottery’s annual charity gala.
Widow Joyce – whose hubby Peter died of bowel cancer 12 years ago, aged 64 – said: “When I got on stage to collect the cheque, the main thing for me wasn’t the money or anything. It was because my husband wasn’t with me to share it. He was a very hard worker and a brilliant man.”
Harry, a retired Shell UK shift foreman, said: “I thought it was more than £30,000, so I was being flippant and said to Judie £50,000. I never imagined it would be this.”
Harry, Margaret and Joyce said the win would help future generations of their family
Dad-of-two Harry underwent open heart surgery at the height of the Covid pandemic in April 2020 after having suffered from cardiac problems.
Wife Margaret has just been given the all-clear for a fourth year after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019.
And mum-of-two Joyce suffered a serious stroke 20 years ago which left her temporarily unable to talk. Grandmother Joyce – who fancies a Norwegian fjords cruise - said: “We can spend the £333 part, but it’s the big bit that we have to be careful about.”
