EuroMillions: £45m winner 'had only played a few times'

A young Nottinghamshire woman who won the £45m EuroMillions jackpot said she had only played the lottery about half a dozen times.

Cassey Carrington and Matt Topham, both aged 22 and from Stapleford, played the lottery online and won £45,160,170.50 in Tuesday's rollover draw.

Miss Carrington said she was feeling lucky after receiving a bonus at work, so set up an online account.

It is the second major EuroMillions win in the county in three weeks.

Gareth and Catherine Bull, from Mansfield, won £40m in the EuroMillions draw on 20 January.

Friends and family

Miss Carrington, who worked as a supermarket supervisor, said she set up her lottery account after receiving a share of £10,000 for good sales results and played Friday's EuroMillions and Saturday's lottery draws without success.

"I did have a feeling I was going to win," she said.

"I have only played the lottery about half a dozen times, when I am feeling lucky, and had already won £10 twice."

However, the couple felt their luck had run out on Tuesday after their computer and washing machine broke down on the same day.

Mr Topham said they were wondering how they could afford to replace them, while also paying for their upcoming wedding, when Miss Carrington decided to check her ticket.

Miss Carrington said they were reluctant to start celebrating until they could confirm their win as the lottery line was not open until 08:00 the following morning.

"By this point, we had seen the prizes, we were sure we had the right numbers and we were constantly thinking we can do this or buy that," she said.

"We didn't get much sleep at all."

Mr Topham, a painter and decorator with the family firm, said the couple were looking forward to helping friends and family with their winnings.

"We can help friends get a house, it is so difficult these days to get a deposit and mortgage so it's great we can help them," he said.

"Also Dad can finally hang up his paintbrushes and relax."

'Dream home'

In addition to paying off their parents' mortgages, Miss Carrington and Mr Topham said they were looking forward to expanding their budget for their September wedding.

"I had made the invitations and was starting work on the centre pieces, all to save money," said Miss Carrington.

"We can now get a big firework display and some entertainment in the evening. It will be our dream day."

Mr Topham said they would now like to build their dream home and travel and Miss Carrington said she "really wanted an Aston Martin".

"I have often painted these huge houses and wondered what it would be like to live in one, now I can find out," said Mr Topham.

The prize is the seventh largest win in the UK, Camelot said.

A spokesman said: "It is fantastic news to have another UK winner so soon after Gareth and Catherine Bull from Mansfield won £40m."

Mr and Mrs Bull's win came from a lucky dip ticket.

The biggest EuroMillions prize was a £161m jackpot won by Colin and Chris Weir, from Largs, Scotland, last July.

Nine countries - the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria - participate in EuroMillions.