Cleaner wins record £1.2m bingo jackpot - and gives half to elderly neighbour

But a deal is a deal. And after scooping a £1.2million jackpot she didn't hesitate before signing over a half share to her neighbour and playing companion.

"We always share whatever either of us wins and this time will be no different," said the 38-year-old cleaner.

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"It doesn't matter to me that we have never won more than £200 before. This was our agreement and I would never go back on it."

Mrs O'Neill, 68, said: "There would have been no hard feelings if she had decided not to split the money, I would have understood.

"She has been wonderful to me. What she has done for me is absolutely something else.

"I am delighted to have been given this amount of money although I have absolutely no idea where or how I will spend it."

Mrs O'Neill said her friend had also nursed her through a serious illness. Their jackpot, Britain's biggest, is thought to be a world record payout at bingo.

Mrs Lowell paid £12 for her winning ticket on Sunday. Her subsequent celebrations with friends and family lasted until 6am.

She and Mrs O'Neill, neighbours for 20 years, have been going to the Club 3000 bingo hall in Coatbridge, near Glasgow, since it opened 18 months ago.

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Despite her new wealth, Mrs Lowell insists she will not give up her minimum-wage work or move from her council flat in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

"I clean offices until 1.30am and I don't intend to give up my job," she said.

"I like the girls I work with and they have already told me not to pack it in.

"I love my life and have no plans to change it. I will be setting off to work tonight like I always do, nothing has changed."

Mrs Lowell, whose husband Frankie is unemployed, has four children Chantelle, 21, James, 20, Sinead, 14 and Shannon, 13.

She said: "My eldest daughter wants a convertible car but she hasn't even passed her test yet.

"I bought a silver Vauxhall Astra on finance last month and have no need for a new one.

"My husband wants to go to Egypt on the winnings and I told him he could take the kids but that I would stay at home.

"I don't want to go away on holidays. I am happy being at home playing bingo.

"My life is just as I want it to be so I won't be making loads of changes just because I have won the money."

Mrs O'Neill said: "I don't plan on going anywhere now I have more money. I travelled enough while my husband was in the army and I am more than happy at home."

The pair's luck continued when on their return to Club 3000 a day after their big win they picked up a further £200.

Mrs Lowell said: "It's my only hobby and winning the large amount of cash won't stop me playing."

Steve Baldwin, of the National Bingo Game, said: "This is our second millionaire in eight weeks.

"We are thrilled for Soraya and look forward to presenting her with her record-breaking cheque."

Mrs Lowell's win beats that of Christine Bradfield from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, who scooped £1.1million in January.