THIRTEEN may be unlucky for some but not for new Minehead millionaires Roger and Kath Whitehouse when their numbers came up on the New Year's Day EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle.

The couple scooped £1 million on the first day of 2013 with a ticket bought shortly after Mr Whitehouse had left hospital after a stay in bed number 13!

He had suffered a suspected heart attack on December 29, but was later diagnosed with angina and released from hospital just in time to buy his million pound draw ticket.

Mr Whitehouse, a retired British Gas engineer, said: "I was in bed number 13 on the ward in hospital and was let out on the first day of 2013, which wouldn't usually be lucky.

"I was staying with my son in Swindon at the time and on the way home I asked him where I could buy a lottery ticket locally, as I knew it was a big New Year draw and I always buy a EuroMillions ticket for the big draws."

It was not until the following day that he realised he had become a millionaire when he checked the winning EuroMillions numbers at a local supermarket.

And even then, the couple initially thought they had won less than £10, somewhat less than the £1 million they actually pocketed!

Mr Whitehouse said: "At first I saw that I'd matched one number and a couple of Lucky Stars, so assumed I'd won less than £10.

"It was only when I checked again that I realised I'd matched the raffle selection for £1 million as well!

"I couldn't believe my eyes. We had such a stressful start to the year and then it all turned around in one moment."

Mr Whitehouse, 67, and his wife, 66, have two children and five grandchildren.

They retired to Minehead around a year ago and are planning to move from their one-bedroom flat to a new bungalow with a garden in the town, as well as upgrading their Ford Focus car to a newer model.

Mr Whitehouse: "It's our dream to have a bungalow with a garden where I can grow cabbages; and now that dream will come true.

"We'll also be able to help our grandchildren out and start 2013 with no money worries. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a new year."

Mr and Mrs Whitehouse announced their good fortune at a press conference at St Audries Park, where they were able to show off their cheque for a massive £1,000,008.20.