LUCKY Sarah Hartshorn's day out at the beach turned into a life-changing experience when she realised she had scooped £2.3 million on the Lotto.
The Hampshire mum was stunned when she checked her numbers while on a family day out on Sunday and realised she had matched all six from Saturday night's draw.
Mrs Hartshorn was watching husband Colin, 32, jet-skiing at Mudeford and jumped up and down on the beach to try and attract his attention.
She said: "I picked up the Sunday paper and looked at the numbers, thinking they seemed familiar. I took my Lotto ticket out of my handbag to check and I just couldn't believe my eyes. I started jumping up and down trying to attract Colin's attention."
Despite having a few days to get over the shock, Mrs Hartshorn, from Tadley near Basingstoke, still cannot believe her luck.
"It still hasn't sunk in," she said. "I feel like I have won a tenner but I just can't sleep at night."
Mrs Hartshorn's life-changing win - thanks to the numbers 3, 5, 10, 25, 43 and 47 - was revealed at a press conference at The Old Mill in Aldermaston yesterday where she and members of her family were the centre of media attention.
Mr and Mrs Hartshorn, who have an 11-month-old son Liam, have already started to plan how they are going to spend their fortune.
Top of the list is a second home near the sea, followed by a luxury yacht, a holiday to the Maldives and a BMW convertible.
The couple are also planning to start new business ventures with the Lotto win.
Mrs Hartshorn said she has always dreamed of running a bridalwear shop. The money will also help Mr Hartshorn, who works with his father at The Book Company, and wants to set up a joinery business.
They also plan to give Liam the best start in life. Mrs Hartshorn added: "For Liam, it is going to mean a nice life, but we don't want to spoil him.
"I have always dreamt that when I have children, I can take them to Lapland and places like that - but it has always been a dream. Now we will be able to enjoy dreams like that as a family."
Mrs Hartshorn, who bought the winning ticket in the post office at Sherfield-on-Loddon, near Basing-stoke, has played the Lotto with the same numbers every week since it started 10 years ago.
First published: Sept 8
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