I won the lottery – but the cheque bounced thanks to new rule and I’m still chasing cash six weeks later

A LOTTERY winner told yesterday how she was left empty-handed when her prize cheque bounced.

Stacey Weaver, 58, scooped £1,750 by matching five numbers in the Lotto draw in June.

She had no luck claiming at her local corner shop as a rule change means winnings above £500 cannot be paid out at Post Office counters.

Excited Stacey was eventually sent a cheque by game-runners Allwyn, which took over from previous operator Camelot in February.

 But the mum of two, of Battersea, South London, said: “I paid it in from my phone, yet the next day my balance went down again. The bank said it was because it had bounced.

“It’s a lot of money to have waved in front of you only for it to feel like it’s been taken away.”

Civil Servant Stacey, who has played since the National Lottery was launched in 1994 but had never won more than £50, added: “I’ve chased them at least five times.

“Each time I get told there’s nothing they can do, and no manager is available to speak to me. All I want to do is claim what’s mine.”

After The Sun intervened, she was assured a replacement cheque was on its way. But she joked: “I just hope this one doesn’t bounce too.”

Last night, Allwyn said: “We’re very sorry to hear of the concerns raised and have now been in direct contact with the claimant.

“This is a revised claims process that we had to introduce earlier this year following the Post Office’s decision [on lottery prizes].

“We are continuing to work on new ways to help further improve the claims process, and would like to reassure our winners that they will definitely receive their prize.”

Earlier this year, The Sun told how dozens of players were left waiting for up to six weeks before getting £800 prizes on the Hotpicks scratchcard games when the new payout system sparked chaos.