Mother-of-four Soraya Lowell, from Hamilton, scooped just under £1.2m at the Club 3000 bingo hall in Coatbridge.

National Bingo Game bosses said they believed Mrs Lowell's win on Sunday could be the biggest in the world.

She has pledged to give half of her winnings to her 68-year-old neighbour and bingo companion, Agnes O'Neill, who was there when she hit the jackpot.

Mrs Lowell said: "We always share whatever either of us wins and this time will be no different." Mrs O' Neill added: "I have had a rough time the last three years - I have been very ill and Soraya has cared for me which meant my husband did not have to retire early. She has been wonderful to me. What she has done for me is absolutely something else."

Mrs Lowell won the National Bingo Game and its Platinum Jackpot, netting £1,167,795. Her win beats that of Christine Bradfield, from Merthyr Tydfil, who won £1.1m in January.

The bingo hall erupted when Mrs Lowell called house on the last number, 90. Players jumped up and down cheering and shouting and the party continued through the night, as Mrs Lowell celebrated at her home with family and neighbours until 6am.

Despite her win, Mrs Lowell has vowed to return to work. She said: "It just won't sink in yet. I haven't slept at all, but I will be back at work on Tuesday as usual."

Mrs Lowell, who has been a member at the club since it opened 16 months ago, first went to bingo as a young child with her grandmother.

"This is my first ever win and it was worth waiting for," she said.

Source: BBC News