87-year-old Father bursts into tears after family scoop £18m National Lottery jackpot

A dad who scooped £18m with his family on the National Lottery burst into tears today as he declared his children are "financially secure forever".

Dennis Banfield, 87, wiped away tears of joy and even had to be comforted by his daughter after his family revealed themselves to be Saturday night's jackpot winners of the £18,139,352 prize.

Dennis, who bought the Lucky Dip ticket at his local newsagents, discovered his family had become millionaires on Sunday when he checked his numbers to see all six had matched.

When Shirley read them out to him she said 'who'd have those numbers?' and her husband of 60 years replied: 'I do'.

The elderly couple, who became Britain's oldest lottery jackpot winners, had told their two daughters Tina, 54, and Karen, 51, their eye-watering windfall was "just a matter of time".

The Banfields said the life-changing sum of money could be used to splash out on new cars and travelling to watch international sporting events after they went public today at Totworth Court in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.

Dennis, who worked for 40 years at South West Electricity Board, said: “All that has ever mattered to Shirley and I is that the girls are okay.

"We joke that it’s just a matter of time and we are playing the lottery for them, so that they are financially secure forever. To know they are is a wonderful feeling.

“We haven’t thought about moving house – we’ve lived here for more than 57 years - and while I didn’t think I would be interested in a new car, it is rather tempting.

"Although with my dodgy knee I might need to get a chauffeur to go with the car!”

Tina added: "It’s too early to make any firm plans about work and new homes but there are some things I’ve always wanted to do and which are now possible.

"I’m an avid sports fan, especially rugby, so the World Cup in Japan or the Lions Tour of South Africa might be on the cards. And I love fast cars, so why not the Grand Prix?

"I could even drive there in my dream car, a Porsche 911 Carrera convertible.

"It’s not just the tangible things that the win will give us.

"The win means we can all take life a little calmer, enjoy our time together and share in the experience without worrying about food bills, mortgage payments or pension plans.

"Mum and dad always said they played for us - I can’t tell you how pleased I am that they did!”

The winning numbers were 5, 8, 9, 10, 38 and 53. - UK Mirror