Father, 39, scoops National Lottery prize price £3.6million after a full Lidl automotive park compelled him to buy at Co-Op – the place he picked up the profitable ticket

A father has scooped a National Lottery prize worth £3.6 million after a full Lidl car park meant he had to shop at Co-op instead.

Sean Henderson, 39, has taken home the top ticket which means he will receive £10,000 every month for the next 30 years.

The carpenter, from Ilfracombe, Devon, won the prize as part of The National Lottery’s Set For Life Game and is now looking forward to celebrating both the jackpot and his 40th birthday, which is next week.

Mr Henderson told how he only stopped at his local Co-op because of a full car park, before purchasing the ticket after feeling ‘lucky’. 

‘I had finished work and popped to Lidl to grab some tea,’ he said.

‘There was literally nowhere to park so I decided to go to The Co-op instead.

‘It was when I walked into The Co-op that I saw The National Lottery stand directly in front of me. 

‘Something just told me to buy a ticket – I was feeling lucky, and it turns out that I certainly was! This purchase has changed my life forever – and that of my little boy’s too.’

Sean Henderson, 39, has taken home the top ticket which entitles him to receive £10,000 every month for the next 30 years

The carpenter, from Ilfracombe, Devon, won the prize as part of The National Lottery’s Set For Life Game and is now looking forward to celebrating both the jackpot and his 40th birthday, which is next week

Mr Henderson found out he had won the life-changing prize while making his coffee the following morning – but was left worried he might lose the ticket before claiming it.

He went straight to his favourite book and slid the slip of paper inside for safekeeping.

‘I was so scared of losing the ticket – or actually waking up and finding out it had all been a dream,’ the father said.

‘I would literally wake up every single morning in the days which followed and continuously check the ticket over and over again – just to keep confirming that I was definitely a winner.’

Despite the win, Mr Henderson has no plans to give up carpentry anytime soon, having been in the profession since the age of 16 – but says it does mean he can be more flexible and avoid working in poor weather. 

To celebrate his 40th birthday, he has already booked a five-star getaway in the Canary Islands with his partner.

He also plans to buy a house, enjoy family meals out and treat his son to a PlayStation 5.

Finally Mr Henderson will also treat his son’s local team with ‘a few treats’. 

Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said: ‘Sean’s story is a brilliant example of how a National Lottery win can come at just the right moment. 

‘After working hard since leaving school, the chance to really enjoy life and treat those closest to him is now possible with his fabulous Set For Life win!’