CHRISTMAS came early for 10 lucky households from Blackburn on Saturday afternoon - when it was revealed they had won £150,000 each on the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Those living on Flowers Close in Earcroft area were in for the surprise of a lifetime when Matt Johnson appeared at their front door, with cheques for £150,000 in his hand.

Earlier last week it was announced that 1,691 players in BB2 4 would share the rest of a £3million prize fund, meaning any players with a ticket in that sector would be collecting a cheque for a minimum of £776.

But the biggest winners were those who received their £150,000 cheques on Saturday.

Elsie Scanlan, 83, lost her husband this year after 40 years of marriage and wasn’t looking forward to Christmas. She said the win cheered her up no end. She said: “It means everything. I can’t express how happy I am and knowing that it goes to good causes makes it so great.

“I know my husband James is looking down on me. I’ll definitely be treating my daughters and granddaughters.”

Elsie has some more very special plans for her win. She said: “My brother died in Orkney during the war. They have his name on a memorial there but I’ve never been, so I’ll be able to go up and see it for myself now.”

The amount of money has also changed Nigel Gahagan’s life, who said he will be going into work on Monday and telling them he is leaving. The 64-year-old said: “I’ve worked in the same place for over 10 years and they’re a great company but I’m ready for retirement.

“My wife Catherine and I will need to sit down and have a good chat. She’s always dreamed of a trip on the Orient Express, so we might actually do that.”

Shop assistant Keri Gorton, 45, burst into tears when the cheque was revealed. She said: “I honestly would have been delighted with £776, but this is unbelievable. I’m going to pay off my mortgage – being mortgage free would be a dream.”

This is not the first time Blackburn has won big with People’s Postcode Lottery - in 2016, the same postcode sector was drawn for the Postcode Millions.

One of 2016’s winners, Craig Townley, 40, not only won £6,000 back them, but also received his cheque for £150,000 on Saturday.