A couple who believed they'd scooped nearly £18,000 on Gala Bingo were left "devastated" after being told their winnings were the result of a technical error and subsequently cancelled. Sarah Nicole Thurgood, 49, claims she and her husband Mark, 56, thought they had struck it lucky with the "life-changing" amount during an online bingo session on Monday.

However, within hours, their accounts were suspended, their balances wiped - and they were informed the substantial payouts were due to a mistake. The pair were among hundreds of players who believed they had secured major wins only to have their "hopes dashed" by a technical fault.

Sarah said: "The money would have changed our lives dramatically. It's a total cock-up on their behalf. They have messed with a lot of people's minds. I just

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