TEACHERS in Widnes danced for joy after discovering they’d hit the £1 million lotto jackpot.

At first Simms Cross Primary School staff thought it was an April Fool’s Day joke as they only checked their Lotto millionaire raffle ticket on Friday.

The 30 lucky winners will each receive £33,333 and plan to splash out on new cars, holidays, clothes, pay off mortgages and even arrange weddings.

Syndicate leader Julie Connaughton, 43, a teaching assistant from Widnes, said: “I’ve already planned a wedding in July next year.

“Now we know we can have a fabulous honeymoon.”

After checking the numbers, she broke the news to head teacher Lesley Feakes.

“Even Lesley thought it was a joke,” she said.

“We called Camelot together. When it was confirmed we both just screamed out loud.

“Things like this just don’t happen to ordinary people like us.”

Angels is arranging a surprise treat for her daughter and her fiance Chris Livell’s two children.

“I’m also going to get the bathroom and kitchen done,” she added.

“Everyone has mixed emotions going from dancing around school to full of tears of joy and excitement.”

A dream wedding is now only months away for teaching assistant Beth Murphy, 31, from Widnes.

“This win is life-changing for me,” she said.

“I had planned my wedding for May next year but kept thinking I will have to keep putting it off because of finances.

“But now I have been out and booked my wedding for October this year. I just cannot wait.”

Beth also plans to learn to drive.

Headteacher Lesley Feakes, 51, said: “This win has brought us closer together. It is exciting – the best news ever.

“We have all worked together for many years and all the staff do such a brilliant job, this is a great reward for them.

“I’m planning a big shopping day, a new bathroom and a new painting.”

The syndicate, a mixture of teachers, teaching assistants and clerical staff, has been playing the lotto for 17 years.

Their biggest win until now was £100.

The newest syndicate member, teacher Andrew Carney, 23, from Lymm, only joined in January.

He is saving up for a house with his girlfriend.

Teaching assistant Margaret Hunt, 57, from Widnes, who retires in the summer, is planning a cruise as well as treating her children and grandchildren.

Staff came back to school on Wednesday to celebrate their win at a champagne reception.

“We are all looking forward to sharing the wins with our family,” added Lesley.

“It is not a life changing sum but it means we can have a good time and enjoy ourselves.”

Other staff who live in Widnes include teaching assistant Paula Norris, 45, teacher Michael Price, 56, teaching assistant Gaynor Jackson, 52, teaching assistant Ann-Marie Connor, 38, teaching assistant Denise Mark, 45, teacher Margaret Hussey, 47, teaching assistant Kerry kelly, 33, office manager Amanda Cowell, 46, teacher Samantha Marsh, 42 and teacher Melanie Barraclough, 38.

The syndicate bought their ticket from News Rack in Albert Road.

The Lotto draw takes place every Wednesday and Saturday.

Lotto costs £2 and includes the millionaire raffle which creates two new UK millionaires every week.