Friendship proves just the ticket for Lotter win familes

Jan 8 2012 by Liz Walker, Sunday Sun

TWO Lotto jackpot winning couples have found they have more than just a million pounds in common.

When Sue and Paul Watson met Norma and Michael Eggleston at a lottery winners’ dinner they hit it off straightaway.

And the foursome have formed their own millionaire’s club, becoming good friends and even jetting off on holiday together around the world.

But one other thing the two couples both have in common is that they have both kept their feet firmly on the ground after their numbers came up in 2007.

Greengrocer Paul, 58, still rises at 3.30am to set up his shop Farmer’s Market in Cockerton, Darlington.

And Sue’s first ‘big’ purchase after their £1m win in January 2007 was a Dyson.

The couple, who have two children Chris, 32 and Phil, 24, also still live in their three- bedroom Darlington home.

And their new friends, who also have two children Michelle, 40 and Chris, 38, reveal they have made similar modest changes to their lives.

Although Michael, 65, quit his job as a general assistant at Tesco within hours of hitting the £2.7m jackpot in March 2007, the couple have just moved one mile from their old Jarrow home to a new bungalow in Boldon, South Tyneside.

And Michael’s first big buy was an old Reliant Robin motor car.

“We met at a Lotto winners’ dinner in Jesmond Dene and just hit it off,” said Sue, 54, a florist.

“We’ve been friends ever since.”