IT’S been 20 years since the National Lottery held its first draw, giving people across the country the chance to dream of a life of luxury.

In that time some 3,700 people have seen their dreams realised, becoming overnight millionaires on the strength of those familiar pink tickets.

Altogether some £53 billion has been paid out in prizes and a further £32 billion has been given to a myriad of good causes.

And while millions watch tomorrow night's (Wednesday, November 19) anniversary draw in the hope of seeing their lives change forever, those that fortune has already smiled upon will be reflecting on their luck.

Mark Brudenell, 50, was a tanker driver and his wife managed a bakery when they scooped £916,915 in 1997. They now live in a five-bedroom house in Stockton-on-Tees and employ ten people in their own double-glazing business.

“We used a majority of our winnings to set up our business; however we also bought ourselves a great home as well as a some lovely cars,” he said.

“Winning the lottery set us up for life and has given us options we would never have had.”

Niki Otterburn, 43, from Thirsk, was a fitness instructor when she won £2,216,029 in 2001 and now devotes herself to her great passion in life - horses.

She now owns a seven-acres smallholding and spends her days riding her prize horse Pippin in preparation for competitions, as well as giving some part-time tuition to local riders.

“The lottery win has given me a second chance to follow my dream. I spend every day outside whatever the weather and love every minute. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.

In 2003 Alex Dyer, 59, ran a working man’s club in Knaresborough with her late husband John when they won £5,957,937.

Over the years they gave away almost half of their winnings to family, friends and charities. Two years ago after John died Alex moved to Spain where she has bought her dream home.

“I absolutely love my home in Spain, it’s a bit like the ‘Good Life’ only with less rain thankfully,” she said.

Jane Cunningham, 54, used to live in an end-of-terrace house in Whitby and drove a battered car before banking a whopping £7,544,200 in 2008.

She’s since married her TV stuntman boyfriend Mark, has been able to help out lots of local charities as well as friends and family with the windfall.

They have bought three homes since the win, two of which they still own, and have indulged in their passion for motorcross racing as well as lots of travel.

“Now we go on lovely holidays and I’m able to indulge in lovely shoes too,” she laughed.

The four were among 20 lottery winners who glammed up for a special anniversary photoshoot with celebrity photographer Sven Arnstein.