How Mansfield millionaire couple's lives have changed since huge £1m scratchcard win

Mansfield couple Andrew and Paula Hancock, who became millionaires in July, have spoken about how life has been for the lucky pair since their big win.

They won £1m on a Monopoly scratchcard - a piece of good fortune they credit to their ginger tom cat Shortcake, whose food they were out buying when they decided to have a flutter on their regular scratchcard.

The couple had won a sizeable £300 on two separate occasions on the same card, but Andrew's decision to take Paula’s car to Esso Fuel Station, in Old Rufford Road, Ollerton, to fill up the tank and grab the forgotten food would prove to be life-changing.

The Hancocks have decided not to go crazy and spend it all in one big blow out, instead choosing to pay off their mortgage and credit card bills, give money to their family and treat themselves to new cars and holidays.

"It just feels wonderful and everything is so much more relaxed," Paula, 44, told Nottinghamshire Live.

"It's taken so much pressure off. We've been able to take a step back from our catering company [Jaspers] and work three days a week now.

"We are still money conscious, but it has massively changed our lives.

"I've bought a new Audi and replaced my old one. It was an A5 and now I've got the same one but it's a convertible."

Andrew, 46, has bought himself a new pick up truck to replace his old one - which he admitted was a little worse for wear.

The couple who have been married for 17 years and together for 25 would love to go to the next Olympics in Tokyo, 2020, due to their son Xavier's love for Judo.

"We'd love for him to go, he's only 13 but really enjoys Judo - to be able to get tickets and take him there would be brilliant," said Andrew.

A trip to Bali is also on the cards, where the pair spent their honeymoon.

The NG Postcode is officially one of the luckiest areas in the history of The National Lottery – placing seventh out of 121 UK postcodes for winners of £50,000 or more.

"I would say to anyone, just go and buy a scratch card - you really do never know," added Paula.

"We are living proof that you can win and we are just normal everyday people."

Mansfield has also seen big wins in another form of lottery - the People's Postcode Lottery.

Most recently, 12 neighbours in Ley Lane shared a huge £390,000, while two other high-profile wins in this format have also graced the town.