A couple who won the National Lottery have shared their top ten moments from the 20 years since the big pay-out.

Julie and Chris Jeffery, who have two children and two grandchildren, won a £1,038,997 Lotto Jackpot in July 2002.

The Watford couple celebrated the 20th anniversary by serving lunch to staff and volunteers at lottery-funded Watford Women's Centre.

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Julie said: “It’s hard to believe that it’s 20 years since our win, it’s been one hell of a ride.

"We’ve had so much fun, made lots of new friends along the way and the memory bank is bursting at the seams.”

The ten best moments

Moment one was sharing the news, Julie added: “Possibly the best memory is telling someone at work that we had won in the morning but not to say anything, knowing they would.”

Second came paying off the mortgage, which they did as soon as they won.

Travelling was number three, the couple made trips as far as Cambodia and Vietnam.

"Being born and bred in Watford, I didn’t think we would travel further than Spain for our holidays, but we’ve been able to spread our wings quite a bit more.”

Watford Observer: Julie Jeffery. Picture: Beth Michael for CamelotJulie Jeffery. Picture: Beth Michael for Camelot

“On the sensible side” the couple added that they put away enough money which helped their children to buy their own homes.

At number five is making friends, it turns out the different national lottery winners are friends and holiday together.

At six was gaining confidence, having attended major events from Royal Ascot to Heley Regatta they said: “All this for a couple from Watford whose greatest aspiration pre-win was to keep our heads down and get the mortgage paid off.”

Watford Observer: Watford Women's Centre. Picture. Beth Michael for CamelotWatford Women's Centre. Picture. Beth Michael for Camelot

Giving back was number seven. As well as the celebrations at Watford Women's Centre, the couple have helped fund other charity projects.

A group of National Lottery winners, including Julie and Chris, broke the Guinness World Record for the longest cork pop, an experience which takes spot number eight.

Big spends take the last two spots.

"Splurge purchases", including a diamond, are at number nine and shopping with celebrities, including seeing Amanda Holden on a shopping trip the week of the win, is at number ten.

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