A Hitchin newsagent was thrilled to learn that his business has achieved ‘lucky shop’ status having sold a millionaire-making winning lottery ticket in the store.

Gurpreet Singh Rehal, who works at the family-run Blakes Corner Store in Ickleford Road, received the letter from Camelot and said it was a big surprise.

He said: “We were really pleased. It’s a boost for everyone and there’s a positive vibe all round.”

The winners chose not to go public, but gave permission for Gurpreet and his family to be informed that it was their shop that sold them the winning ticket.

They received a certificate from Camelot to display in the window, stating that a ‘millionaire was made here’.

Gurpreet, 33, has been working at the shop since his mum Kulwinder and dad Amrik bought it in 1992 – but they only had the lottery machine installed in 2012.

“We haven’t had anything like this before,” said Gurpreet, who lives in Hitchin with his wife Ramandeep and two daughters – three-year-old Dyal and Amrit, aged one.

“We’ve had a couple of £500 wins but nothing as big as this – it’s really special since we’ve only had the lottery machine a few years.”

“I started thinking who it could be, who I haven’t seen in a while, but we do not know.

“I’m sure lightning could strike twice though and we have had many more customers digging out the old tickets and getting them checked.”

Gurpreet added: “I think my wife will play the lottery a bit more now,” he added.

Customer Jacqui Nash said: “When they told me about the winning ticket being bought in this shop, there was a buzz around the place.

“I don’t do the lottery every week but when I do, I would choose to do it here.

“I’d like to think it would happen again because it’s great for Hitchin – I just wish it had happened to me!”