UK’s record $321 million lottery winners make surprise purchase

Britain’s biggest lottery winners have made their first big purchase, and it’s the furthest thing from what you’d expect.

Britain’s biggest ever lottery winners have made their first major purchase – a used Volvo station wagon.

Down-to-earth Joe and Jess Thwaite spent a relatively modest £38,000 ($A66,000) of their £184 million ($A321 million) EuroMillions win on the understated grey V60.

Pictures released by The Sun this week show Joe, 49, and Jess, 44, arriving at the front gate of their Grade II-listed home in the car.

They had been visiting the house to meet with their builders as they press ahead with work that had been planned on the property before their win.

Despite the couple’s windfall, neighbours are not shocked that the pair have been so restrained with their money.

One told The Sun: “They’re mega lottery winners but first and foremost they’re down-to-earth people who have worked hard their whole lives.

“The car is smart, respectable and sensible – just like Joe and Jess.

“You might expect them to go and buy a Ferrari or a Bugatti. Instead of living the high life, they’re pressing ahead with their original plan to do the house up and make sure things are sorted as they’d planned originally,” the neighbour said.

Down-to-earth Joe and Jess Thwaite spent a relatively modest £38,000 (A$66,000) of their £184 million (A$321m) EuroMillions win on the understated grey V60. Credit: Dan Charity

“The couple are well liked by the neighbours and they want to make sure the house is put right.

“The fact that they’ve not splurged it all on sports cars or booze shows what great people they are.”

With their record-breaking winnings, Joe and Jess could have had their pick of any car. But after going public with their win last month, Joe admitted he was “not a great car person”.

He said his dream motor was a Skoda Superb station wagon “because of the amount of stuff you can get in the boot”.

He had been driving a Hyundai but said: “I’m going to get something that does the job and is a big upgrade to my old little car that’s covered in dents.”

Joe and Jess landed the huge win on the EuroMillions last month. Communications sales engineer Joe has already handed in his notice.

Jess runs a hairdressing salon with her sister. The couple have been married for 11 years and have two primary school-aged children.

The Gloucestershire couple have reportedly been considering buying a £7.25 million ($A12 million) mansion in the Cotswolds near former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson’s property.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission