A BASINGSTOKE mum will be treating herself this festive season after she scooped one million pounds on a National Lottery GameStore Scratchcard.

Popley resident Tammie Pickett, 37, purchased the Monopoly Millionaire 2016 Scratchcard earlier this month and was made an instant millionaire after she popped into a local convenience store to buy some sweets for her poorly daughter.

The mother-of-four, who purchased the winning ticket at the One Stop and Post Office in Shakespeare Road, now hopes to buy a new family home with her winnings.

But little did Mrs Pickett know that the ticket she picked up would be so life-changing.

Mrs Pickett said: “My three-year-old daughter had just been for a doctor’s appointment when I decided to stop off at the shop to buy her a little something to cheer her up. 

“It was payday and I have to admit I was feeling a little frivolous so decided to treat myself to a couple of scratchcards too.”

After Mrs Pickett left the shop, she played her scratchcard, which revealed the million-pound winning symbol. 

It left her in absolutely shock, so she ran back into the shop to speak to store’s assistant who immediately told her to call Camelot – the UK National Lottery operator – to claim her prize.

“Obviously I always play hoping for a win but never dreamt I’d reveal a one million pound prize,” Mrs Pickett said.

“I was utterly speechless and even when I ran back into the shop I could barely make myself understood. 

“I just burst into tears of joy, I couldn’t believe it and all the time my poor little daughter was worried something bad had happened. How do you explain to a little one that mummy has just becoming a millionaire?”

Husband of six-years, Ian could believe it when Mrs Pickett called him to explain what had happened.

And with the win confirmed, Mr and Mrs Pickett are now planning for their, and their family’s, future.

She said: “We have always been in rented accommodation, and the children have had to share rooms, now we can find our dream four-bedroom home in Basingstoke.”

“It will be a home that the whole family can feel safe and secure in for many years to come. Forget perfume and socks, a new home is the absolute best present for our family.”

The National Lottery changes the lives of its winners, but also communities across the UK. Players raise, on average, over £30 million for National Lottery-funded projects every week across the arts, sports, heritage and health. 

Visit lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.