A retired couple are planning a bucket list of experiences thanks to a National Lottery win that sees them bank £10,000 every month for a year.

Angela and Steve Hathorn, from Orpington, are still in shock after they matched all five main numbers in the Set For Life draw on January 23.

Angela, 63, used to work with children with special educational needs at schools and nurseries and 68-year-old Steve was a design draughtsman.

They are now planning a series of adventures including a cruise, luxury trips to London and more visits to historical and heritage sites across the UK.

Angela explained how she was initially worried there was a problem with her ticket when she asked for it to be checked at her local shop.

She said: "Every Sunday I buy my Set For Life tickets for the coming week and normally get both checked at the end of the week in the shop, I never check the numbers online.

"Unusually, I went into the Co-Op on Carlton Parade on the Tuesday and asked the lady to check the numbers for the Monday night draw.

"She had a puzzled look on her face as she stared at The National Lottery terminal and then she asked her colleague to take a look.

"I was starting to get nervous, worried there was a problem and not helped by a large queue behind me, before the shop assistant said they couldn’t pay out over £100, and I should go call the National Lottery line to claim my prize.

"I didn’t even ask how much, I just went back to my car to drive home."

The 63-year-old was parked a few hundred yards from the Co-op and admits her knees buckled a few times en-route back to her car.

She said: "I got home, and as usual Steve opened the door for me and immediately asked me what the matter was as I obviously didn’t look my normal self.

"I told him the story and so we sat down to call the number on the back of the Set For Life ticket.

"The man at The National Lottery told me that it sounded like I had won and that someone would be contacting me asap to confirm the win, and then I couldn’t stop saying, ‘oh my god, oh my god’.

"Steve was by this time as white as a sheet.

"I did try to have some lunch but could only manage half a sandwich."

Angela, who has been playing Set For Life since the game started in 2019, continued: "I then carefully put my winning Set For Life ticket in my old National Lottery plastic wallet, which is held together with sellotape and kept it in my handbag for safe keeping."

The couple called their two sons, James and Lee, to tell them the exciting news.

Even though the couple’s winning numbers were from a Lucky Dip selection, two of the lucky numbers were ones they would have ordinarily chosen, their son’s birthdays – 10 (James) and 21 (Lee).

Angela said: "I called James first as I knew he would be at home. I then called Lee when he got back from his work. They didn’t believe me.

"I wasn't 100% sure myself and so we all just talked about various things with the conversation always eventually going back to the win.

"I didn’t sleep for days, nervous it was still a dream and it was just amazing when everything was confirmed."

Angela and Steve, who also have two grandchildren, want to spend the money on experiences.

“I’m not really into material things, but this fabulous win will help Steve and I enjoy life to the full," said Angela.

"As we are both retired we have the time so I want to go on a cruise, having watched lots of television programmes on this type of holiday.

"I love going into London so I can see more visits for activities like afternoon tea on the horizon. And we love to visit historical and heritage sites.

"We did this a lot before Covid, and the win will kick start more trips for us.”

The pair have been married for 41 years and also plan to tend to their garden more.

Angela said: “I love my garden, it’s an oasis and it’s a very special place for me so I think I’ll treat myself to some more plants.”

Set For Life is a draw-based annuity game from The National Lottery that offers a top prize of £10,000 a month for 30 years when the five main numbers and the Life Ball are matched.

Players can win £10,000 a month for a whole year by matching the five main numbers.

Set For Life costs £1.50 per line to play and draws take place every Monday and Thursday.