A Watford couple who won the lottery have toured the world visiting all the exotic countries of their dreams.

When Chris and Julie Jeffery won £1,038,997 in the Lotto jackpot from The National Lottery in 2002 they were both working, Chris as a kitchen planner and Julie a cook at Garston Fire Station.

And that’s more or less how it remained until three years ago when Chris retired, but Julie still cooks at the fire station and they still live in the family home in Watford. Julie said,

“Everyone loves to chat about what they’d do if they won the Lottery, we’d played since 1994 and were no different. When it suddenly happened I think we were in shock, it took some getting used to but I can tell you from first-hand experience it’s wonderful!

“We’ve been able to enjoy some incredible holidays to truly exotic locations, places that before the win just wouldn’t have been possible, or certainly not possible without some committed saving plans. Top of the adventures would have to be Alaska and the Maldives, but the win has also been about making wonderful memories in the less extravagant destinations too.

“While we decided against moving house and instead paid off the mortgage on our family home, not long after our win we bought a place in Devon where all the family can enjoy a getaway. What started as a place for us to enjoy with the kids is now somewhere we can take our grandchildren, and those are truly precious moments.”

Already happily retired and waiting for Julie to join him, Chris said, “In a funny way, because we were quite wise with our win when Julie finally decides to hang up her oven gloves at the fire station we’ll celebrate it all over again. This time because we are embarking on retirement in a very comfortable position so the next stage of our adventures together can start. Now that’s definitely worth raising a glass of Champagne too!”