A Romford care worker is looking forward to having a house of her own after her bricklayer dad won the lottery.

Lucky Colin Hopkins, 48, found out he matched five numbers and a Lucky Star in the Euromillions draw on September 17 after taking a “lucky dip”.

He kept the £256,130 winnings a surprise until daughter Jamie, 25, got home from work in Romford.

She said: “I just couldn’t believe it and had to resort to a fortifying glass of wine to help this amazing news sink in.”

Dad Colin, of South Ockendon said: “It wasn’t until Wednesday morning, while I enjoyed my morning cup of tea, that I checked the numbers online.

“I was utterly gobsmacked. I have to be honest, there was no whooping for joy, I just sat there like a lemon for about an hour completely stunned.”

Colin has been celebrating with Jamie and her sister Carlie, 26.

They have already started house hunting so they can move out of a rented home into their own house.

A shopping spree and holiday is also on the list with the £256,130 winnings but Colin said the peace of mind of owning a home was the priority.

“I can’t wait for the girls to be safely under a roof that is all ours,” he added.