A COUPLE from Minehead are celebrating a very Happy New Year indeed after winning £1million on the EuroMillions.

Roger and Kath Whitehouse, who are in their 60s, won the prize on New Year's Day in the special EuroMillions Raffle.

The couple spoke to reporters and posed for photographers at a pre-arranged photocall in West Quantoxhead this afternoon (January 8).

Roger, a retired British Gas engineer, was only released from hospital the day he bought the lucky dip ticket after suffering an angina attack.

He said: "I was in bed number 13 on the ward in hospital and was let out on the first day of 2013, which wouldn't usually be lucky.

"I was staying with my son in Swindon at the time and on the way home I asked him where I could buy a lottery ticket, as I knew it was a big New Year draw."

It wasn't until the following day the couple realised they'd become millionaires, when they picked up a copy of the winning numbers while shopping.

Roger added: "At first I saw that I'd matched on number and a couple of lucky stars, so assumed I'd won less than £10.

"It was only when I checked again I realised I'd matched the raffle selection for £1million as well.

"I couldn't believe my eyes. We had such a stressful start to the year and then it all turned around in one moment."

The couple plan to move from their one-bedroom flat in Minehead to a two-bedroom bungalow - with garden - and upgrade their Ford Focus car to a newer model.

"I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a new year," said Roger.