The $968,750 winning ticket was yet to be claimed with a number of locals hoping it was their lucky day until a Mandurah great grandmother came forward.

“We had been inundated, especially on Monday,” store manager Sharon King said.

Ms King said extra staff were called in due to the crowds the then-unclaimed winning ticket attracted.

News Xpress owner Phil Foo said the winning ticket created a buzz.

“It’s great to have the winning ticket and see so many hopeful ticketholders,” he said on Tuesday morning.

But by Tuesday afternoon, the ticket was claimed and the great grandmother said she had to pinch herself.

After not checking the ticket until Monday night, the Mandurah resident said it was time to celebrate with a family roast dinner.

She plans to buy a new unit and car and give some money to family.

She was one of 10 winners of the prizepool and one of three in the Peel area with other winners from Kwinana and Warnbro.

The ticket was Halls Head News Xpress’ third division one win in 10years, but Mr Foo’s first since he took over 12months ago.

Ms King said the agency had done well overall in the draw and also said it was their turn after similar success across the region in 2011.

Seven division one winners have been sold in the Peel region for 2011 and another five in the surrounding areas.

Meadow Springs Newsagency and Mandurah City Newsagency have struck gold twice, with two winning tickets, while Miami Lotteries and News and Halls Head Newsagency each claimed a winner.

Outlets in Medina, Pinjarra, Waikiki, Kwinana and Warnbro also recorded division one wins in 2011.

Lotterywest spokesperson Jody Nunn said it was exciting to see Western Australians take a significant share of the $31 million division one prizes with many more winners across other divisions.

“We’re ecstatic to have 10 winners from Western Australia,” she said.