LAST week, over 1,000 Burnham-on-Sea residents took home a share of £3.2 million in the Postcode Lottery.

Although all entrants from the TA8 2 postcode received over £1,000, those in the full winning postcode of TA8 2BQ each secured themselves a life changing sum.

71-year-old Shirley won a whopping £228,571 from her ticket, a prize which she attributed to her late husband, Les.

“My husband always loved doing the Postcode Lottery, but he passed away four years ago," Shirley explained.

“I wanted to keep it going, so I changed it over to my name.

“It seems as if he’s looking down on me and looking after his sons and grandchildren.

“I’m excited and very, very nervous - I’m not used to things like this - I’m just a down-to-earth person."

Shirley, who works as a dinner lady in a local school, hopes to use the money to treat her two sons and six grandchildren, as well as fellow staff at the school.

Another of the four jackpot prize winners is 81-year-old Peter, a former lorry driver, and his wife Joyce, aged 79.

"As Victor Meldrew said, ‘I don’t believe it’. I’ll give her £571 and I’ll decide what to do with the rest,” joked Peter.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe it - it can’t be that much surely,” Joyce added.

The couple, who are great grandparents, plan to use the money to visit their one-year-old great grandson, who lives in Ohio with grandson Gavin and his wife, Myra.

They also hope to visit Peter's 90-year-old brother who lives near Auckland, New Zealand.

The third of the St Michael's Road winners is 67-year-old John, and his wife Alison, 66. 

The retired hospital porter and his other half plan to use the money to look after their three kids and seven grandchildren - but not before going on an Icelandic cruise.

“We’ll treat the kids, but we’re going to have a holiday - after that, we’ll sit down and think how to invest it,” said John.

Last but not least, 98-year-old Bernard purchased three tickets, and earned himself the grand total of £685,713.

Bernard fought in World War Two with the Royal Marines at just 17 years old.

“When we started the lottery, my wife and I said that if we ever won, we must share it with family," he said.

"Unfortunately, she’s not here anymore.

“My daughter will get the most because she has been fantastic.

"She took over from my wife when she died and looked after me every day.”