I won £2.7million lotto but I kept my job stacking shelves at M&S – I even started work at 2am

A MUM who scooped a whopping £2.7million lotto win has opened up about why she kept stacking shelves at M&S.

Elaine and her husband Derek Thompson landed the jackpot in 1995 and have poured their winnings into their true passion - horse racing.

3

3

3

It's a love that's seen them visit every racecourse in the country and invest in three horses.

And despite their big win, Elaine kept stacking shelves at M&S until she retired.

We have always loved horse racing, it's such a great atmosphere and over the years I have learned which trainers to follow

Elaine ThompsonNational Lottery Winner

The 64-year-old still works 25-hour weeks, starting at 2am and says people probably think she's "bonkers".

She said: "I have a job because I can’t stay in the house, it would drive me nuts. I’ve worked all my life.

READ MORE NATIONAL LOTTERY

LOTTO LUCK

I won £2.7M lotto prize & got a race horse - but his NAME was start of my demise

LOTTO LOSS

I won £2.7m lotto but kept my M&S job stacking shelves – I started work at 2am

"It’s important for my children to see hard work reaps benefits."

Elaine added: "Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this is how my life would end up."

After winning big almost three decades ago, the racing-obsessed couple poured their money into their first horse.

But, it quickly adopted the not-so-lucky nickname of Sick Note because it landed a cough before each race meeting and never won.

Most read in Money

BANK IT

Nationwide, Halifax and Lloyds cut mortgage rates after BoE interest cut

SWITCHED ON

How thousands on state pension can get a FREE TV Licence

INTEREST-ING

Millions of bills to FALL as Bank of England interest rate decision confirmed

GOOD ENERGY

Thousands of households handed free energy saving gadgets to slash energy bills

However, Elaine and Derek didn't give up and invested money in another horse named Richmond Lady - which won a race at Exeter racecourse.

The mum-of-two said: "Owning racehorses is a pretty pricey business, there are a lot of costs involved.

"One horse, a beautiful grey named Balfour Lady, needed a lot of shoes - I would say she had more shoes than Imelda Marcos whilst we owned her.

"It was lots of fun but we eventually decided it was probably best to focus on punters and stick to our placepots."

This week the couple finally reached their goal of visiting all 59 race courses in the country.

Owning racehorses is a pretty pricey business, there are a lot of costs involved

Elaine ThompsonNational Lottery Winner

Derek said: "We have always loved horse racing, it's such a great atmosphere and over the years I have learned which trainers to follow.

"We decided after our National Lottery win to travel the UK and visit every racecourse in the country. Originally there were 61 but two have closed down over the years.

"Ludlow is our 59th and final race course, we have definitely saved a lovely course for last."