Nine lucky Folkestone residents have won a share of a £300,000 prize thanks to their postcode.

The St Martins Road homeowners received cheques for up to £60,000 after their postcode was selected in the People's Postcode Lottery.

The prizes were part of a special campaign where every day in October's draws, players in one lucky postcode win £30,000 per ticket

There was a minimum of £17 million won in this month's draws.

One winner, Marion Petts, 74, played with two tickets meaning she won a staggering £60,000 when CT20 3LB was announced in the draw.

She said: “I am thrilled to bits, I can’t actually believe it.

"I started playing three years ago when I stopped smoking, so this is karma for quitting.

"It’s also grand to know quite a bit of my money has gone to charity.

“I’m going to take one of my friends on a cruise, probably around the Caribbean where it’s nice and sunny.

"Other than that I have no idea what I’ll spend the money on.”

However, Mrs Petts was not the only one to win big, as the draw also saw Toni Akehurst and her husband Shaun win £30,000.

Toni said: “I’ve never won anything ever in my life – and I try a lot. I’m just amazed.

“I did not expect to win £30,000. I signed up because it’s great to know a lot of the money goes to charities and it’s even better to know people like us can win.

“We’ve been saving up for a trip to Jamaica next year for my 60th birthday so we’re now able to pay this off next month thanks to the prize.

"Anyone thinking of playing should just do it! You really can win.”

The draw was promoted on behalf of Girlguiding, which works with more than 500,000 girls and young women to provide a space to have fun, gain life skills and interact with the local community.

Around 32% of the proceeds from the draw went to the charity, meaning it has received funding of around £2.1 million thanks to the campaign.

Neighbours Stephanie Richardson and her husband Martin were also stunned to win £30,000 off their ticket.

Stephanie said: "This money is going to go towards a caravan or towards some travel abroad.

"It’s a real win win as it’s amazing knowing charities are being helped, and also that we’ve won and can now treat ourselves.”

People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt, presented the winners with their cheques.

She said: “What a fantastic atmosphere there’s been here in Folkestone.

"Having nine neighbours win has created such a buzz, there’s even talks of them all getting together to have a party to celebrate.

"It’s lovely to present the prizes and hear from all the winners on their plans to spend the £30,000, and in Marion’s case, £60,000.

"I wish them all them best and hope they have fun spending their money.”

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