A couple were today drawing up a luxury shopping list after hitting the Argus Cross the Ball jackpot.

Vera Turrell, 81, and husband George, 82, said they had been living in a haze since the Argus broke the news of their £16,000 win.

The pair, who have been playing Cross the Ball for almost 30 years, were handed a cheque by sales and development manager Phil Elcome.

Mrs Turrell, who trembled as she held it, said: "I'm going straight down to the building society. I just can't believe it.

"I couldn't stop laughing when someone from the the Argus told me on the phone we had won. I could see my husband looking at me, wondering what on earth was wrong with me.

"We've been doing Cross the Ball since the Seventies. We have won twice before, but never as much as this."

Now, the couple plan to buy some items for their two-bedroom detached house in The Twitten, Southwick, and maybe indulge in a holiday.

Mrs Turrell, a former bakery manager, said: "We haven't been on a proper holiday for a long time. But to be honest, we haven't really got our heads round it yet.

"We are going to take some time to think about it all. I'm sure it will be a nice Christmas though."

Mr Turrell, a retired butcher and former navy petty officer, added: "We're really excited."

They also plan to set aside some cash for their 60th wedding anniversary, which they will celebrate in two years.