IT'S the best possible start to a new year - winning the lottery, with two Hampshire men striking gold in the National Lottery, with one scooping £1m.

Known only as 'Mr S', he was one of 25 people who banked a million on New Year's Eve through playing the Euro Millions on national-lottery.co.uk.

Meanwhile 'Mr H' picked up £164,513.30 in the Euro Millions in January after matching five numbers with one Lucky Star.

Winners playing through the website have the opportunity to release their names, remain anonymous or release partial information, like in this case.

A National Lottery spokesperson said: “Huge congratulations to Mr S and Mr H, there must be something in the water in Hampshire, they have won without ever touching a ticket. With many people leading busy lives playing online is becoming increasingly popular as through a few simple clicks players can make sure that they don't miss out.”

They are the latest in a string of Hampshire lottery winners over the past few years.

Another mystery man scored £1.3m in the main lottery draw in January 2013, splitting a £3.9m jackpot with two others.

In July 2012 a Nursling teenager bagged £1m playing the Euro Millions.

The 19-year-old was in the Four Horseshoes pub, in Nursling, watching the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games when he discovered he had a winning ticket.

Plasterer Steven Clements won £1m on a scratchcard in Winchester in 2011 after winning £100 on another one earlier the same day.

But winners are shunning champagne celebrations according to a survey of lottery winners.

Rather than bubbly, successful players would rather enjoy their new found wealth with a cup of tea, although 82 per cent of winners then start splurging on luxuries like a new home or hiring cleaners and gardeners.