From 14-hour shifts to lottery win for former Tata Steel workers

Former Tata Steel workers in south Wales are celebrating after winning a £1m lottery jackpot.

The 15 winners, who used to work 14-hour days together in the finance team, made a pact to stay connected throughout the years by contributing £5 to the lottery draw.

The Tata Steel Syndicate began seven years ago at the steel factory in Port Talbot as a light-hearted way to lift their spirits during busy working weeks.

The winners now plan to use their £66,666 share on paying off mortgages, holidays, house renovations and new cars.

Paul Davy, 61, helped keep the group of friends connected throughout the years, after many of them left the company, by sending hopeful emails of a big jackpot win.

He treated the lottery more like "an opportunity to donate to charity - with the chance of winning as a bonus" and was shocked at finally seeing the winning code.

Paul, from Port Talbot, said: "I couldn't believe it - a message just popped up on the app.

"I was checking Saturday's draw when a message flashed up. I thought it must be an error," he said.

Paul plans to spend his money on a new car and possibly a Mediterranean cruise with his partner.

"Me and my partner went on a cruise a couple of years ago. She was really nervous about it at first as she doesn't like boats, but it turns out we absolutely loved it," he said.

The winners also included Gill Furlong, Christine Davies, Sally Wise, Julie Lambert, Allan Evans, Ian Howells, and Raja Prasad, who all live close to one another.

"This win has given us the perfect excuse to celebrate together properly," said Paul.

While a handful of members still meet occasionally for "a game of pool and a beer", the whole group had not got together for many years, until the win.

"A huge congratulations to the whole group; we wish them many more happy memories ahead," said Andy Carter, from Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery.

Thousands of jobs were lost at the UK's largest steelworks – which for a century have dominated life in Port Talbot – in 2024 when Tata Steel restructured its business operations.