Lorry driver quits job minutes after winning lottery

Christine Hedley (left) and husband Tony (on a video call), pictured with presenter Judie McCourt, won £166,666 each on the People's Postcode Lottery

A lorry driver quit his job minutes after finding out he and his wife had both won £166,666.

Tony and Christine Hedley found out they had won the huge sum on Thursday after playing the People's Postcode Lottery.

Mr Hedley, 68, from Newcastle, found out about the win after he pulled over his truck to take a phone call.

After the call, he rang his boss and said: "I'm not coming in tomorrow and this is my last shift."

The couple are now planning to retire, putting an end to Mr Hedley's 42-year career as a lorry driver.

They plan to use the money to revamp their bathroom and garden, and take a holiday to Pitlochry, Scotland, in August.

Tony Hedley, 68, with his wife Christine, 65

"I've been working all my life and I think it's time I had a break," Mr Hedley added.

"When they revealed the envelope, it was just surreal."

Mrs Hedley, 65, a teaching assistant, was at home when the People's Postcode Lottery arrived with the winning envelope.

"When I pulled the ticket out, I couldn't believe it, I just cried," she said.

"I never thought it would be that big.

"It's still unbelievable, I wake up in the morning and think 'did I dream that?"'

As well as making their home improvements, the couple plan to help out their two children, four grandchildren and soon-to-be-born great-grandchild.

Mrs Hedley added: "It's lovely to know that we can just relax and live life for us now."