Cash strapped waitress nets £1million scratchcard prize

Cash strapped Maria Murray had warned her four children not to expect any present form her on Christmas Day and the 41 year old part time café waitress was dreading Christmas morning.

But all of Maria's dreams came true when she purchased a £5 scratch card on Christmas Eve, and she has spent the rest of the festive period celebrating her incredible £1million win!

Maria from Avonmouth in Bristol said of her good fortune:-

"It was my last £5. It hasn't really sunk in yet that I've won. I don't know what I'll do."

Maria's three daughters Terri aged 21, Toni aged 20, Rikki aged 19 and her only son Todd aged 17 were each given £300 cash for Christmas with the promise of a further £100,000 each.

Todd commented:-

"On Christmas Eve she bought the scratch-card, scratched it off and she didn't know what to do. Mum was really shocked. She started crying when she knew she had it.

Before the win she got us all a Christmas card but said she couldn't get us anything else because she couldn't afford it.

I'll invest £70,000 and with the rest, after I pass my driving test, I'll buy a car - a Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi Evo."

Maria also intends to purchase the three bedroom council house where she has lived for the past 18 years and which she currently shares with her children.

The lucky prize was won on a limited edition Merry Millions festive lotto scratchcard which Maria bought for £5 from her local newsagent.