Lottery winner, 80, reveals 'secret' tactic used to secure mega £1million jackpot

An 80-year-old woman from Crewe has revealed the "secret" behind her £1million prize.

Nancy Barkley scooped the jackpot on the Postcode Lottery - and split it with her two neighbours, taking home £333,333.

But her husband, 69-year-old Colin, secretly put the ticket in her name, believing she was luckier than him.

Mrs Barkley's late brother David Whitby was a victim of the infamous 1963 Great Train Robbery, and was attacked by the gang during the heist.

She believes he may have played a part in her good fortune.

"Everyone all knew the robbers' names, but now people remember my brother David as well. And maybe he's looking down on us today," she said.

Mr Barkley said: "I told her she was the lucky one. Looks like I was right."

His wife went on to describe the win as "unbelievable" and called it "a blooming big bonus."

The couple have now announced plans to leave their rented home and purchase a property together.

"We can buy the bungalow that we've always wanted," Mrs Barkley said.

"We're not flashy people. We don't drink and we're happy with simple things. We like going out for lunch and little trips away."

The 80-year-old great-grandmother of two had initially expected a much smaller sum when she learned of her win.

"I never expected anything like that amount. I thought £1,000... anything over that is a bonus," she said.

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But the duo insist they have no interest in extravagant spending, preferring modest outings and short holidays.

Barkley spent her working years at Chester Barrie, a clothing factory in the area.

The company produced designer menswear worn by royalty, footballers and Formula 1 drivers.

She worked as a cutter at the factory before her retirement.

The couple had previously relocated to Wales when they stopped working.

However, they recently moved back to Crewe to be closer to their family - though Mrs Barkley's health issues also lay behind their return to Cheshire.

She received a breast cancer diagnosis two years ago, and while surgeons successfully performed a lumpectomy to remove the tumour, her recovery took a difficult turn when she developed an infection and digestive problems..

"At one point I went a whole month hardly eating or drinking. I ended up in hospital on drips and intravenous antibiotics," she said.

The pensioner spent time in hospital receiving treatment for the complications.

She has now made a full recovery from her health ordeal.

Barkley says she is looking forward to spending her lottery winnings after overcoming her illness - and now hopes to settle permanently in the area with her winnings.