Britain’s biggest lottery winners have announced they are to “divorce amicably”, eight years after scooping a £161 million EuroMillions jackpot.

Chris and Colin Weir also confirmed in a statement that they had been living apart "for some time".

The couple from Largs, Ayrshire, have been married for 38 years and have two grown-up children.

A statement issued to The Scottish Sun said: "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.” Sources said the couple had been living apart for nearly a year.

Mr Weir, 71, a former TV cameraman, and his 62-year-old wife, a former psychiatric nurse, made the Sunday Times Rich List with their win in 2011.

He was reported to have signed over a £3 million mansion in Troon, Ayrshire, to his wife last year while he bought a £1.5 million seafront property nearby.

They donated £3.5 million to the Yes Scotland campaign ahead of the 2014 independence referendum, and have given £4.5 million to the SNP, with the party repaying £1 million given as a loan.

They set up The Weir Charitable Trust in 2013, to help small community groups, and made a donation to a community football club in their local Largs.