West Midlands couple scoop £4.3 million on lottery

Colin and Brenda Roberts from Great Barr, say they are still in shock after receiving the massive, life-changing cheque for £4,390,682.

They won after using the same numbers for almost 20 years.

Mr Roberts, who owns his own company DM Roberts Repairs, which repairs motor vehicles, retired from his position in 2007 to be a full time carer for his wife 76-year-old wife Brenda, who has severe arthritis. They have been married since 1975 and have lived in the area since then.

Mr Roberts said: "I checked my numbers on the TV on Sunday morning, and I really couldn't believe it. After checking the ticket a further six times to make sure I hadn't made any mistakes, I went out to buy the paper so I could check it again. This just doesn't happen to people like us – I think we are still both in shock.

"Every ordinary person wishes for it and then suddenly, you've got it and you're a winner. How many people go to bed and think, 'if I win the lottery tomorrow, I'm going to do, I just can't believe it is us who have won."

The couple are very happy in the home they share at the moment, but the garden is very restrictive for Mrs Roberts as it has lots of steps, so she can't get around unaided. They would like to use some of their winnings to buy somewhere which would give her greater independence in the home and the potential to move around on her own.

As well as a new home in the same area, they've started to think of what else they'd like to buy. Mr Robertssaid: "I've always been scared of dentists, and had some bad dental work on my front teeth some time ago, so I would like to get my teeth done privately, as well as buy a new car. The options are mine now, I can get what I want and I can even have it customised if I'd like!

"I've had those numbers since the National Lottery first started, and picked them for the first show. The biggest amount I'd won so far was for three numbers until now – as well as the jackpot I also won £25 in the same draw, so it really was fate. When I realised I had matched five numbers I knew we had won the money – don't ask me how, I just knew."

Mr Robertshas three lines each week and always buys from the same store. The winning numbers from the draw on 12 April were 4, 17, 22, 26, 31,47 and the winning ticket was bought from Birdbrook News, Great Barr.