Grandmother, 80, to spend life-changing £1m National Lottery winnings on special gift after family won jackpot using her late husband's lucky numbers

An 80-year-old grandmother from Essex has scooped a life-changing £1million National Lottery prize alongside her two children, using numbers originally selected by her late husband.

Rose Tresadern, who lives near Southend-on-Sea, celebrated the remarkable win with her son Barry and daughter Julie after the Lotto draw on April 18.

The winning combination had been chosen years earlier by Rose's husband, Derek.

"We carried on playing the numbers because they reminded us of Derek. Winning £1million never even crossed our minds," Rose said.

The family matched five main numbers and one bonus ball to secure their seven-figure prize.

Derek passed away approximately a year before the family's lottery triumph, following a brief illness. His death came shortly after he and Rose had marked their diamond wedding anniversary together.

Determined to honour his memory, Rose and her children, Barry and Julie, resolved to keep entering the Lotto each week using the numbers Derek had always favoured.

The family syndicate maintained this weekly ritual as a tribute to the man who had originally picked the combination.

"I don't even know what all the numbers meant to Derek, but whatever they represent, they have turned out to be very lucky for us," Rose explained.

"It honestly feels like he's still looking out for us. I know he'd be over the moon."

Rose was alone at home when she discovered the extraordinary news and immediately telephoned her son in an overwhelmed state.

"I rang Barry straight away, I could hardly speak. They thought something terrible had happened," she recalled.

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"When I told them we'd won £1million, there was just silence. None of us could believe it."

The windfall Rose will be able to relocate to accommodation better suited to her physical requirements.

"This changes everything," she said.

"With my mobility issues, I need somewhere to live that's easier to manage. Now I'll have comfort, independence and peace of mind. It's such a relief."

Rose will be able to take her beloved Maltese dog, Amira, with her to her new home.

In addition to the new home, Rose intends to purchase a new engagement ring as a lasting memento of her husband.

"I want to buy a new engagement ring. Derek bought me a second ring years after our original one wore out, but that's become damaged too.

"I'll repair it, but I'd love a new one as well. Something special to remind me of him," she said.

Kathy Garrett, Senior Winners' Advisor at Allwyn, which operates The National Lottery, offered her congratulations to the family.

She said: "Huge congratulations to Rose, Barry and Julie on this incredible win.

"There's something truly special about the fact Derek chose the winning numbers many years ago and the family continued playing them to honour him."