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DREAM COME TRUE

I had to sleep in a man cave in garden – but now my life has changed forever after winning £400,000 in the lottery

A GRAN who had to sleep in a 'man cave' in her garden says her life has now changed forever - after she won £400,000 in the lottery.

Brenda McMullan, 72, from Chorley in Lancashire, suffered a stroke in March - while still recovering from breaking her back in seven places in 2017.

Pensioner Brenda scooped a £400,000 Postcode Lottery jackpot
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Pensioner Brenda scooped a £400,000 Postcode Lottery jackpotCredit: Peoples Postcode Lottery
She split a £1million prize with three neighbours on her Lancashire street
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She split a £1million prize with three neighbours on her Lancashire streetCredit: Peoples Postcode Lottery

The retired mum-of-two had to sleep in her husband Denis's garden "man cave" and wear a special "cage device" while she learned to walk again.

But now Brenda's fortunes have been changed - after she and three neighbours split a £1million Postcode Lottery prize on Saturday.

Another winner on the street said he will splash their cash on a £16,000 Ford Mondeo.

Brenda had bought two tickets - doubling her share of the jackpot to £400,000.

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The pensioner told how she spent ten days in hospital earlier this year after suffering a stroke in the middle of the night.

She told the : ";I just woke up and couldn’t move - and when I tried to speak to Denis, I couldn’t talk.

"Denis carried me down the stairs, put me in the car and got me there quick.

"We’ve been married 53 years, since I was 19. He’s been my only boyfriend. And we look after one another, don’t we?"

The stroke left Brenda temporarily blind - six years after a crippling back injury "ruined my life".

The couple had planned to sell the home where they have lived for 40 years because of Brenda's health problems - but now they can stay put.

Their two sons and five grandchildren will join them as they celebrate their life-changing win.

Denis also plans to splash out on a Manchester United season ticket and a programme from the 1968 European Cup - which he attended as a young man.

Brenda added: "After Christmas, once I get the all clear from the hospital, I’m ready for a really good holiday."

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