A year ago, Karen Bottrill was an ordinary mum-of-two from Markfield, earning a crust in her job as a care worker.

Overnight, her life was changed forever when she pocketed a cool £1.1 million on the National Lottery.

Twelve months on, she is living the high life, after giving up her job and moving into a new home.

In the past year, she has enjoyed a Mediterranean cruise and a Christmas shopping spree in New York, as well as all the security a big Lottery win brings.

Despite that, the 51-year-old said the cash – won when she matched all six numbers on a lucky dip ticket which she forgot to check for almost a week – had not changed her.

She said: "Yes, winning has been life-changing, but I do not think it has changed me as a person.

"It is actually a relief that it was not a ridiculous amount of money because that's when things go to your head and you can become a different person."

For Karen, the best thing about the prize has not been the holidays, presents or luxury lifestyle.

It has been knowing that worrying about bills and what financial problems the future might bring has been lifted off her shoulders and those of husband Graham and grown-up daughters Donna and Jodie.

She said: "Money was never that tight beforehand, but we lived within our means. Now though we can relax a little more knowing that if we need something we can afford it.

"It is not the spending on the luxuries that brings you the most joy it is the fact that all those niggling worries about bills or needing a new cooker or dishwasher have gone."

Karen has also made sure she has used her money to help others, such as buying a new van for her father-in-law and supporting local charities.

In August, she donated enough money to Loros to cover the cost of a nurse for a week at the hospice, in Groby Road.

Last month, she gave a cheque to Rainbows children's hospice, in Loughborough, to support plans for a £4 million extension.

After winning the Lottery – and £1,000 a month earlier – she still enjoys picking her numbers.

She said: "You never know, I might hit the jackpot again."