A retired couple are celebrating scooping a lottery prize on the same day they pocketed winnings at the races.

Folkestone couple Ray and Pat Spicer collected £6,000 on the Air Ambulance lottery and on the same day Ray won more than £600 on the horses at Glorious Goodwood.

They joined the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance lottery only three months ago.

Mr Spicer, 65, a former forklift driver, said his jaw dropped when he was told how much they'd won.

Now the charity's helper who signed them up has handed over a cheque to the pair.

The couple are now planning to spend the money on a holiday to Italy to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary and more trips to Costa Brava and Gran Canaria.

Mr Spicer, of Holly Close, said: "When the air ambulance called to say we had won some money, I thought it would be one of the smaller prizes of £25. My jaw dropped and I was speechless when I was told how much.

“We are shocked to have won because we’ve only been in the lottery for three months and never expected to win that amount.

“We support the charity because my brother-in-law was once airlifted after a shop sign fell on him whilst walking down the street – none of us know when we may need the services of this life-saving charity.”

Their £8 a month subscription paid off when they won a grand total of £6,303.24 in last week's draw with the lucky numbers 7, 28, 34 and 35.

Mrs Spicer, a retired factory worker, recalled the day when lottery representative Mike Stevens called at their door.

She said: “He was very polite and we didn’t find him intrusive at all. In fact, I’m really glad he called because otherwise, we wouldn’t have won.

"I would encourage more people to join the lottery because it’s such a great cause, and people really do win.”

Air ambulance Head of Lotteries and Gaming James Cook said: “The charity is heavily supported by ordinary people who give a small amount each week, but it makes a huge difference. Mike was delighted to meet Ray and Pat again, and deliver their winning cheque to them personally.”

Find out more about the air ambulance lottery which raises money to keep the helicopters in the air at www.kssairambulance.org.uk/lottery