Seven workers at BMW's Cowley plant thanked their lucky stars they did not change their national lottery numbers after they won £315,000 -- and they had been playing for only four weeks.

Andrew Blenkins, Gary Pearson, Brian Briggs, Derek Measor, Tony Williams, Bob Simmons and a seventh man who asked not to be named, have worked together in the BMW paint shop for more than two years and were considering changing their numbers just days before the win.

The group, who call themselves the Magnificent Seven, will throw a party for their family and friends.

Mr Blenkins, 40, who lives in Swindon, picked the winning numbers -- 8, 13, 14, 23, 25 and Thunderball 4 -- and can now afford a proper wedding to his fiancee Karen, 32, with his winnings.

He said: "We played for three weeks and had only won £5 and the lads were giving me a hard time. They wanted me to change the numbers -- but they are thanking me now!"

Mr Measor, 46, from west Oxford, only found out the syndicate, who paid £2 a week each, had won when he arrived at work on Monday afternoon.

He said: "I got to work and they all told me to sit down!"

He said he would give his two children, Vicki, 16, and Darren, 18, £3,000 each, treat the family to a Mediterranean holiday, carry out home improvements and make some investments.

Mr Pearson, 41, of Kidlington, was reluctant to join the syndicate at first but was persuaded by the rest of the group.

He planned to spend his money to pay off debts, do some home and car improvements, take a holiday and invest.

Mr Simmons, 52, of Abingdon, said he would spend his share on debts and a holiday, and invest any left-over cash.

Mr Williams, 53, of Kidlington, said he would only be able to decide what to do with his £45,000 once it was in his bank account.

Mr Briggs, 44, also from Swindon, said: "I was at a party when one of the guys phoned to check I had bought a ticket as he recognised the numbers.

"I immediately started to phone round the others but they didn't believe me. They soon called me back when they realised it wasn't a joke."

The Magnificent Seven will continue to play the lottery as a syndicate but will now pick new numbers.