LIVING in Inverclyde could seriously increase your chances of winning the lottery, a welcome new report has revealed.

The National Lottery has confirmed that people living in the postcode area have more reasons than most to fancy their chances of pocketing a million or two.

In the last two years there have been more jackpot wins here than almost anywhere else in the UK.

The area comes second top in the lucky charts thanks largely to the Royal Bank of Scotland Mortgage Centre syndicate who scooped £1.1 million pounds.

But the area has had more than its fair share of jackpot winners down the years.

The most famous lotto winners with local links are Colin and Christine Weir – who both have strong Inverclyde connections – who scooped £131m and since then have supported many good causes in the area.

A National Lottery spokesperson said, “Residents have been enjoying plenty of National Lottery luck recently, so much so they are one of the luckiest in the UK! 

“With plenty of big money wins and four millionaires created over the last two years, they have lots to celebrate.”

Plenty of numbers have come up in Inverclyde with Tommy and Margaret Webb leading the way back in 2000 with a £1.75 million win.

They spoke to the Tele about it a number of years later, and how it had made all their dreams come true.

Greenock man Tommy, a former health board technician said: “It is the best thing that can ever happen to you, as long as you do it right.

“We remember how it felt to be sat there, having won all that money.

“It is wonderful but you are in a daze. Life is great. There is a lot of negativity about those who just spend all their lottery winnings. But there are many more like us who do it right.”

They were followed by Port Glasgow student Kerri Cartwright who won £2.5m in 2007. A week later another Port Glasgow woman won more than £200,000 after getting five numbers and the bonus ball.

The champagne bottles also uncorked for darts players Henry Milne and Joe McKay who shared a £1.2 million pound bullseye.

Last year 17 office workers from the RBS Mortgage Centre known as the ‘MC EuroMillions’ syndicate scooped £1,140,402.60 – a win of £67,082 for each member.