SUMMER has kicked off with a bang for two Stirlingshire residents, after discovering they have won �400,000 each with People's Postcode Lottery.

Next door neighbours Wilma Brownlie, 68, and Michael Stone, 73, from Balfron, were part of a People's Postcode Lottery celebration which saw 74 residents in the winning postcode sector G63 0 share a �2 million prize.

Brownlie and Stone were the only players living in the full winning postcode, G63 0NR, therefore walking away with the lion's share of the �2 million prize.

Wilma Brownlie attended a celebration on Saturday with her husband William, 73. Wilma said: "I just can't believe this, I was so happy with my initial sector prize cheque for �13,020 and now to get an even bigger one is just amazing.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the money but I have two children - a daughter who lives in San Francisco and a son who lives in France. I also have six grandchildren so I'll definitely have plenty of people to spend it on.

"We are already booked to go and visit my daughter in San Francisco later this year so it will be an extra special trip now." Also celebrating on the day was Michael Stone, 73, with his wife Lis.

Michael, a retired social science lecturer from Glasgow Caledonian University has found the whole experience "quite overwhelming." Michael said: "I feel happily shocked. I think I will only really believe it when I see it on my bank statement." Michael is currently kept busy with his work for Balfron Community Future, a charitable Trust supporting the community of Balfron. Michael said: "I started playing People's Postcode Lottery because of the great charities that are supported, but more specifically the fact that small local charities also receive funding." Michael and Wilma's passion for charities and their recent big win aren't the only things that they have in common. The two couple's have been next door neighbours in both Balfron and Killearn.

Wilma explained; "We were neighbours for years in Killearn, before Michael and Lis moved to Balfron. We didn't even think of checking their address when we decided to move to Balfron, and lo and behold we have become next door neighbours again. With this �400,000 win, I can safely say this postcode has done us very nicely!" Sector winner Thomas McNeil had already scooped �26,040 during the event in Balfron before discovering he had also won a brand new BMW 1 Series.

Winners and their families were kept entertained at a party at Balfron Primary School on Saturday by a performance from Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus.

This is the second time in six months that the Postcode Millions has landed in Scotland. In December it was the residents of Conon Bridge in the Highlands who were celebrating when they won their share of a �2 million prize pot. People's Postcode Lottery ambassador and Postcode Millions presenter Judie McCourt was delighted to be back celebrating in Scotland, "We had such a great time up in the Highlands at Christmas it's great to be back in Scotland."