UK's biggest lottery winners Colin and Chris Weir to divorce

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Colin and Chris Weir won 拢161m in 2011

A couple who won the largest ever lottery prize claimed in Britain, have announced their intention "to divorce amicably".

Chris and Colin Weir, who scooped 拢161m on the EuroMillions in 2011, also confirmed in a statement they had been living apart "for some time".

The couple from Largs in Ayrshire, have been married for more than 30 years and have two grown-up children.

They made the Sunday Times Rich List with their win eight years ago.

A statement issued to : "It is with deep regret that Chris and Colin confirm they have been living apart for some time and intend to divorce amicably.

"There will be no further comment."

Colin, 71, a former TV cameraman, and Chris, 62, a former psychiatric nurse, set up The Weir Charitable Trust in 2013 and made a donation to a community football club in their local Largs.

Partick Thistle Football Club also received investment from the couple which led to the youth set-up being rebranded the Thistle Weir Youth Academy and a section of their Firhill Stadium being named the Colin Weir Stand.

They also defended making a donation of 拢1m to the independence campaign ahead of the 2014 referendum, and continued donating to the SNP afterwards.