AN ESSEX village hosted an exclusive gathering of some of the region s biggest lottery winners yesterday (Wednesday). The event to celebrate the 15th anniversary of The National Lottery was held in Parklands Quendon Hall. Across the National Lottery s ran

AN ESSEX village hosted an exclusive gathering of some of the region's biggest lottery winners yesterday (Wednesday).

The event to celebrate the 15th anniversary of The National Lottery was held in Parklands Quendon Hall.

Across the National Lottery's range of draw-based games and scratchcards, 550 jackpot prizes have been paid out in the East of England, including the creation of more than 240 millionaires or multi-millionaires.

A National Lottery spokesman said: "We're delighted to be bringing together so much good fortune under one roof to celebrate 15 years of the National Lottery.

"It was great day catching up with winners whose lives have been transformed by their windfall.

"We are keen to let lottery players in the region know just how many people have hit the jackpot over the last 15 years. Fingers crossed that we will create another millionaire in the East of England in the next Lotto draw."

The region has always been an exceptionally luck area to live including two of the luckiest postcodes in the country - Ilford and Romford.

DO you know someone who has won a windfall on the Lottery? E-mail us at editor@dunmow-broadcast.co.uk or call 01799 512881.

THE NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS - TOP 10s

Lucky hotspots

Medway Towns

Ilford

Romford

Sunderland

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Perth

Teeside

Dartford

Hull Bradford

Lucky professions

Construction work (builders)

Administration

Management

Driving (lorries, taxis, buses)

Catering industry (chefs, publicans)

Manufacturing (factory workers)

Customer services and retail

Financial sector (banks, accountancy)

Care/social work/charity

IT/computing/electronics

Favourite holiday destinations among lottery winners

USA

Caribbean

Dubai

Canada

Australia

France

Canary Islands

Spain

Far East (Japan, China, Singapore and Thailand)

Portugal

Favourite cars among lottery winners

Mercedes

BMW

Mini

Vauxhall

Land Rover

Range Rover

Ford

Porsche

Audi

Jaguar

Favourite purchases among lottery winners

House

Car

Holiday home/caravan

Dog/cat

Holiday

Jewellery

Swimming pool/hot tub

Farmland/field

Football season ticket

Motorbike

Favourite home features among lottery winners

Bar

Hot tub

Walk-in wardrobe

Electric gates

Snooker table

Games room

Home gym

Swimming pool

Home cinema

River/lake in the grounds