A NORTH-EAST woman's itchy hand led her to check the numbers that scooped her a £16m lottery jackpot.

Grandmother Marion Richardson, from Winlaton, Gateshead, will face the cameras today when she is handed the cheque she won on Friday's Camelot Euro draw.

Former postwoman Marion, 57, has five children - Scott, Paul, Colin, Kay and Julie - and is separated from their father.

Neighbours on the estate where she lives said yesterday they were still coming to terms with having a multi-millionaire living next door.

Cheryl Thompson, 31, said: "It couldn't have happened to a nicer woman. She really is lovely and thoroughly deserves all the happiness I'm sure she's going to enjoy.

"I moved in with my kids next door two years ago and I couldn't have wished for a better neighbour.

"She was one of those traditional neighbours who you could go to for a friendly chat and cup of tea.

"I doubt she will live around here much longer - I wouldn't."

Mrs Richardson's win puts her at number six on Britain's all-time National Lottery highest win list.

Before hitting the jackpot, she had been landscaping the garden of her three-bedroom house.

She is expected to reveal what she will spend the money on at the ceremony today.

A spokeswoman for Camelot said: "The winner had an itchy right hand - a sign of good luck and money coming in - on the evening of the draw."

The EuroMillions game, launched in February, is linked to draws in France and Spain.