WORKERS at a Whiston factory were celebrating this week after striking it lucky in the National Lottery.

An 11-strong syndicate from industrial laundry firm Spring Grove Services, based in Stoney Lane, scooped a total of £171,567 after correctly matching five numbers plus the bonus ball in Saturday's big draw.

The win - which nets each member more than £15,500 - comes just two weeks after a syndicate from the Manor Farm pub in neighbouring Rainhill shared £101,288 for achieving the same feat. And as an added coincidence, the daughter of Whiston syndicate leader Mavis Thomas was works at the Manor Farm.

Said 41-year-old Mavis: "She was working at the pub on the night they won, and now we've won two weeks later - maybe it's her turn next."

The syndicate - 10 women and one man - have only been playing the lottery for three months and had already notched a few minor wins. Added Mavis: "We were all sitting at the same dinner table when there was a roll-over a couple of months ago and I suggested starting a syndicate. After that we just carried on."

The winning ticket was bought from the Somerfield store in Prescot Shopping Centre.

Now the winners, who include eight members of two families, are planning how to spend their new-found wealth. In the meantime though they are getting together for a slap-up meal to celebrate.

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