THREE York families are today celebrating big lottery wins totaling more than £700,000.

Among them was a father who predicted he would win and two grandmothers now planning major changes to their lives. 

Another 374 people in north York all won at least £5,590 in the latest round of the People's Postcode Lottery.

Watch the moment the three big winners discovered how much they've won. 

Father-of-four Mark Brookes, 55, won £359,514 with two tickets in the lottery where players use their postcode as their "lucky number".

He said:

“I actually wrote down three amounts on a piece of paper that I thought I’d win - two were low but then I wrote down £178,201 and I just thought that figure was the one.

"I wasn’t far away. The only other person I showed this to was my son. I’ve been doing mediumship for a hobby.

“I’ve never won nothing in my life. I go to work everyday and look after my family.

"This lottery win will let my wife retire and I’ll be able to help each of the children put down a deposit on a house because they are all renting at the moment.”

Two grandmothers from his street, both aged 49, each won £179,757.

Mother-of-two Michelle Hogan, who only started playing the lottery a few months ago, said: “At the moment I’m doing two jobs and working twelve days straight sometimes.

"It’d be nice to not have to work that much. I could possibly buy my own place, which would be fantastic.

"I’ve got two grandchildren and one on the way, so I’ll be able to help the kids out.

"It’s a massive amount that I could never have dreamed of winning and I need to have a long serious sit down to think about what to do next.”

Donna Harper, who has two children and five grandchildren, will leave her childminder job.  

She said: “I never dared to dream before but I can dream now. 

"I’m going to use this to help me change career so I can do something I really love.

"First thing Monday morning I’m handing in my notice, there’s no more wiping bums or noses for me. The world’s my oyster now.”

She plans to buy the home she is renting and install a hot tub.

She said: “I’m euphoric. This cheque is getting framed and going in the garden so I can admire it from my hot tub. Myself and my kids are set up for life now.”

They were among 377 players who all won because their postcodes start YO31 9.  The actual amount varied as to the final two digits of the postcode. The minimum win was £5,590 per ticket.

Representatives of the lottery spent this morning going house to house to hand out the winning cheques.

People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson said: “We’ve had fun knocking on the doors of some of the winners in York.

"With some big cash prizes being handed out this month, there’ll be plenty to celebrate for the players in the winning postcode sector.”

A minimum of 32 per cent of each ticket's purchase prize goes to charity.