Ashby De La Zouch accountants are counting the cash after EuroMillions win

News of their win arrived by email which Rowena Barnwell read on Saturday morning.

She said, "I opened up the email, assuming I had won a few pounds, and couldn’t believe my eyes when I logged into my account and saw how much we had won! I quickly rushed downstairs to show Richard because I didn’t trust my own eyes."

Husband Richard Brewin called to claim the prize before Rowena went for a run to clear her head while they waited for a call back from a winners’ advisor.

Rowena said, "The run was surreal and all I could think about was if it was real and not a spoof. I missed the call whilst out and only realised later so we called back and it was all confirmed."

The couple, who have two children, spent the rest of the day in a bit of a daze before sitting down to celebrate in the evening with chocolates and Champagne.

Rowena had the win playing on her mind but was still struggling to believe it was real. "I just couldn’t stop thinking ‘it doesn’t happen to me’. I was in a dream world all weekend, believing it still must be a joke. We are pretty chilled people so just got on with normal things and it was only after the man from the Lottery came to our house to confirm everything and give us the money, that I even told my mum – just in case it wasn’t real."

The family are still deciding how to spend their win. Laughing, Rowena said, "We have a holiday booked and two lovely cars so I think it will be about treating the family. As you’d expect from accountants we are cautious about spending money, although I do like nice handbag or two!"