Leeds National Lottery winners 18 years on: How 'surreal' £3m jackpot transformed their lives

Sarah and Aldan Ibbetson, who live in Ilkley, won the £3,013,767 jackpot on July 20, 2002.

Sarah was on maternity leave as a dental nurse when she won the huge sum and says she will never forget the moment she discovered they had won.

The mum-of-three said: "We were at home watching the live draw on TV and we first thought we had five numbers, before we text in later and realised we had all six.

"It was surreal, that's the only way to describe it. We were in disbelief until we got it confirmed."

The lucky couple, who are both 41, had just had their first daughter and recently purchased a new house in Cookridge.

Sarah said: "We had managed to do the living room but desperately needed the money for a new kitchen.

"At the time we thought we had five numbers, which was a £2,500 prize, and you could buy a kitchen for that back then.

"When we realised it was an awful lot more, it meant we could look for a new house."

The couple moved to Ilkley and in 2014 they built their own five-bedroom detached house, with a contemporary kitchen-diner complete with an AGA cooker and stone furnishings.

They now have three children and have invested their money into a new number plate manufacturing business, Number One Plates, based in Guiesley.

Sarah advised new lottery winners not to rush into making purchases, but to carefully consider where to invest the lottery money.

She added: "It's tempting to go mad and buy something you may later regret, but take your time to digest it all because it is a lot to take in.

"Take as much financial advice from people around you as you can."

Sarah and Aldan's first purchases were a Mercedes-Benz and a Porsche, which they paid for on a debit card.

They now have a Mini for driving around Leeds city centre and have invested in property renovation, as well as running their business together and raising their children.

Sarah said: "We told the children [about the win] when they were old enough to understand and I think Oscar is still getting a grip on things.

"But we've kept them very grounded, if they don't tidy their rooms they don't get pocket money!

"They are grounded children which is nice, because it could have gone the other way with them realising what had happened."

Sarah and Aldan were invited to celebrate The National Lottery's 25th birthday at the Piece Hall in Halifax this year.

-> What happens when you win the EuroMillions and how long it takes to get your money