1:29pm Wednesday 30th May 2007
By Andy Dickenson
Some of Britain's biggest lottery winners exchanged tales of their good fortune today at a gathering to mark the creation of more than 200 millionaires in the South East.
More than £1 billion has been paid out in major prizes amounting to £50,000 or more in the region since the National Lottery launched in 1994.
Several winners from across the South East attended the reception at the five-star Grand Hotel on Brighton seafront to share experiences of their winnings.
Among them was Mark Gardiner, from Hastings, who shared the biggest Lottery payout, £22.6 million, with friend Paul Maddison in June 1995.
Since the win he has invested in his local football club, built up his double glazing business and shared his wealth with family and friends, while still living in Hastings.
Mr Gardiner was joined by fellow winners including Mick Maplesden, also from Hastings, Malcolm Wilkins, from near Margate, Kent, and David and Gaynor Funnell, from Hailsham, East Sussex.
A Camelot spokeswoman said 480 jackpot winners have been created in the South East since the lottery's 1994 launch.
And more than £19 billion has been raised for good causes.
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