WARRINGTON is the luckiest place to live in Cheshire and the seventh luckiest place in the UK if you play the National Lottery.

The lottery has made 13 new millionaires in the WA postcode in the past two years and 452 prizes of more than £50,000 have been handed out to people in the town since the draw began in 1994.

The most recent millionaires, John and Patricia Gill, hit the jackpot on Christmas Day 2015 and brought their ticket just an hour before their numbers were drawn.

John, 57, who runs Warrington Commercials car repair shop, said: “It is great to see so many National Lottery millionaires being made in Warrington and long may it continue. I will certainly be continuing to play – and even more so after hearing this latest news.”

Since the launch of the lottery, 51 millionaires have been made in Warrington and John unveiled a glittering sign at the Golden Gates to mark the town’s good fortune.

He said: “I brought the ticket online and you get a message saying you have won some money, but not how much. We thought it would just be £10 or £20.

“I had to check four or five times when it said a million. Patricia was watching EastEnders and thought I was joking."

The couple celebrated with friends at Tatton Park on New Year’s Eve and are looking forward to a cruise in July starting from Miami.

John also treated himself to a new Jaguar.

Patricia, 53, said: “You just can’t believe it, it’s unreal, even weeks after.

“We have two kids and the children bring you back down to earth – they still have to go to school and do their A levels. They were absolutely thrilled though, it just gives you financial security.”

Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor, said: “Warrington is known for having incredible luck on its side when it comes to Rugby League with some really great records over the years and this news surely confirms it.

“It is a fantastic town with some wonderful countryside and amazing places to live and in lots of ways residents are really lucky to live in this postcode – now they have even more reason to celebrate and love their postcode.”