NEARLY 250 residents of a County Durham postcode area who play People’s Postcode Lottery after celebrating winning a £3m prize pot.

The full winning postcode, DH7 0QL, which is in Howden Bank area of Lanchester, between Consett and Durham was announced at a Postcode Millions event at Burnhopeside House in Lanchester, landing two players the biggest share of the prize - £270,489 each.

Jean Bambrough, 69, a retired NVQ trainer, said: “I’ve been playing for just over a year and have won £10 a few times, but I never expected that I’d be the big winner today.”

Mrs Bambrough, who is celebrating with Brian, her husband of 47 years, added: “We’ve just returned from a holiday in Devon and our next holiday will be to the west coast of Scotland, where we’ve been going every year for the last 25 years.”

“We’ve also been thinking of upgrading our car, so we’re off to the Jaguar garage this afternoon to pick out a new one.”

Alan Foster, who celebrated his 71st birthday just over a week ago, said: “I’m absolutely stunned, I’m going to frame my cheque and put it up on the wall.”

The other 241 winners in the postcode sector DH7 0 took home between £9,073 and £27,219 each.

Jeff Purdy, who won £9,073, was joined by his fiancée Carol at the event. He said: “It’s a lot more than I thought I was going to win, I’m going to buy an apartment in Benidorm with my winnings.”

The event was hosted by People’s Postcode Lottery Ambassadors Judie McCourt and Matt Johnson.

The lottery gives at least 31 per cent from each ticket goes directly to charity. It has raised more than £237m for more than 3,000 charities and good causes in Great Britain and internationally.

A number of charities that have received this funding attended the event to thank players for their support, including Whizz-kidz, Children North East and Dogs Trust.

Brandon Barker, who represents the North East on the Whizz-Kidz ‘Kidz Board’, said: “Thanks to the invaluable funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, young wheelchair users like myself across the North East are provided with vital mobility equipment and support, giving them the freedom and independence to live the lives that they deserve. This life-transforming work is only made possible thanks to their support.”