A COUPLE have been given some much-needed festive cheer after winning £1million on a lottery scratchcard.

Malcolm and Elaine Peel are celebrating the early Christmas present and plan to spoil themselves and their family.

It is a huge lift for the couple at a time when Elaine is battling terminal cancer and a heart condition – and means she can live out the life of her dreams.

Malcolm, a retired woodsman, said he would finally be able to give his wife everything she’s always wanted.

He said: “Elaine truly is the love of my life. I decided to give up work to become her full-time carer, as I didn’t want to waste a second of our time together.

“It’s been really tough, especially not to be able to give her everything I want her to have in these precious years. Now that’s all changed.”

Malcolm won the jackpot after popping in to Asda in Shoebury to cash in a previous scratchcard and get a Merry Millionaire one for Christmas.

He said: “Last Thursday I popped to the shops to pick up a few bits and decided to treat myself to a Merry Millionaire scratchcard.

“I revealed the prize there and then and could barely believe my eyes when I saw the £1million. In fact, I still can’t believe it – it’s like a dream come true for us.”

Top of their shopping list is a new house with enough room for their six children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild to visit.

Wasting no time, they have already viewed a few properties in the Southend area.

With money in the bank, the merry millionaire and his wife have also hit the shops.

Malcolm said: “It’s been a surreal few days. We’ve looked at a house that would once have been only in our wildest dreams, and then going to the shops with no set budget was unbelievable. It’s going to take some getting used to.

“I bought myself a new pair of boots and it was only when I paid that I realised they were half price, so the bargain hunter is still in me! It’s going to be great to be Father Christmas for a bit and to know we can fulfil all Elaine’s dreams.

“People always say that a win would be lifechanging, but I don’t think anyone except close family truly realise how lifechanging this win really is to us.”