A lucky couple said today they will be able to fulfil their long-held dreams of travelling the world after scooping a £2.3 million Lotto jackpot win.

New Zealand and Australia have so far been earmarked by John and Jacqui Pinyoun as being destinations which they intend to see with their new-found fortune.

The couple, from Langney Point, Eastbourne, were watching the Lotto draw while eating a fish and chip supper when their six numbers were drawn in Saturday's Lotto draw.

Mr Pinyoun, 61, branch manager at Parker Building Supplies Ltd in Uckfield, said: "We couldn't believe it. We were so excited we couldn't finish our dinner and put the rest in the bin.

"We didn't leave the house all evening. We just phoned some close family members and told them the good news.

"That evening, I put the ticket in my dressing table draw, right next to my bed, as I didn't want to let it out of my sight."

Mr Pinyoun, treasurer at non-league Eastbourne United FC, said he was not tempted to follow Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's path and bankroll his local club.

Speaking at a press conference at the five-star Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, he said: "I don't think football clubs are a very good investment."

However, the couple said the money would help secure the future of their three sons, Gary, 34, Matthew, 31, and Martyn 29, as well as their three grandchildren.

Mr Pinyoun added: "Our main priority is to see that our sons are looked after and our grandchildren, and we would like to do some travelling to New Zealand and Australia.

"We have got a bit of a wish list that we had beforehand which would have been very difficult to fulfil without this lovely winning ticket. Now it looks as if we will be able to fulfil our wish list, or Jacqui's wish list I should say."

Mrs Pinyoun, 58, who works at Goldsmith's jewellers in Eastbourne, said her first request was for new curtains and carpet, along with a top of the range Mini convertible.

She said the money would enable her to experience opportunities that she promised herself following the death of a friend in New Zealand three years ago.

Mrs Pinyoun, whose hobbies include going to the theatre, said she would probably quit work, along with her husband. He said: "I haven't said I would at the moment but I think it will probably be difficult not to.

"I'm 61 and it would be nice to retire a little bit earlier than I anticipated. I phoned my boss on Sunday evening to say I have got a problem but that it was a nice problem and that I needed two or three days off.

"I was waiting for his reaction as to whether he would say that that's short notice. I would have said, 'Sorry, tough' but his reaction was very, very good and he said I could take as long as I liked."

Mr Pinyoun bought three Lucky Dip tickets from the News Rack newsagents in Beatty Road, Eastbourne. The winning numbers were 11, 17, 28, 31, 40, 43 and the bonus ball was 39.

The couple, who married on Valentine's Day 1970, said the win, totalling £2,367,330, had come at just the right time in their lives.

Mr Pinyoun said: "I can retire, Jacqui can retire and, to be honest, it's nice that we have gone through a normal life like most other people.

"Obviously, now it's going to change but the fact we have gone through a normal life means we are going to appreciate the money a hell of a lot more."