A couple that battled cancer, had bailiffs at the door, and then went on to win the lottery, have fulfilled one of their wildest dreams... of owning a soft-close toilet seat.

Wayne and Desirée Home, both 58, became £1 million richer after buying a winning ticket in the EuroMillions Raffle.

The cash enabled them to buy a converted pump house beside the river in East Farleigh, where their new luxury sports boat sits.

VIDEO: Meet the lottery winners and their luxury boat

But when the money first landed in their account, Mrs Home had only one thing on her mind.

She said: "When we moved into our little mobile park home, we had a toilet seat that wouldn't stay up properly. Every time you put it up it would go clang.

"I always said I wanted a soft-close toilet seat, so when we won the lottery I said to Wayne: 'Can I have a soft-closing toilet seat please?'"

The parents of three and grandparents to four first married 34 years ago after they met in the navy.

But it's not all been plain sailing. In 2008, Mrs Home was diagnosed with bowel cancer and suffered respiratory failure twice.

Not only that, Mr and Mrs Home were forced to sell their home after they both lost their jobs after being made redundant.

Mrs Home said: "I already had a battle to face - I didn't want another battle on top of that.

"Because of this, of course, money was drying up. We had bailiffs knocking at the door, we had repossession looming, we had debt collectors standing on the drive noting the value of our cars.

"We were the lowest you could get it was really tough."

Thankfully, Mrs Home has now been given the all clear and the pair are living a far more relaxing life.

While they are generally sensible with their spending, Mrs Home has treated herself the odd lavish spend.

"I had always wanted some diamond earrings. I wandered into Maidstone town one Sunday and went into a shop and just said 'I'll have those ones thank you very much'.

"I hadn't even looked at the price.

"The lady looked at the me and said: 'Is it your birthday or something?' I said: 'Nope. I'm having them because I want them.'"

"I was convinced he was going to have a heart attack. So I made him up his life insurance... then we won the lottery." - Desirée Home

Asked whether winning the lottery has made them happier, without hesitation Mr Home said: "Yes, because it has taken the stress out of everyday living.

"All the moments when you're getting up, having to deal with stress at work. It meant I didn't have to commute any more which was a big thing for me."

Mrs Home suddenly interrupted.

"He was getting so stressed going in and out of London. I was convinced he was going to have a heart attack.

"So before the lottery, I made him up his life insurance.

"So I made him do that, and then we won the lottery."