The machine responsible for picking the numbers, nicknamed ERNIE (electronic random number indicator equipment), generated close to 37 million winning numbers in 2018.

This is more than any other 12-month period on record and represents an 8 million increase compared with 2017.

Savers collectively earned over £1 billion on their investments, which represents the third highest annual payout in the history of Premium Bonds.

In December 2018, ERNIE’s 400^th Premium Bond millionaire as announced. It was a woman from Ken who had only £5,000 invested.

No individual has won the jackpot twice in the history of Premium Bonds. Nevertheless, 2018 saw two people claim winnings during their first month in which their Premium Bonds were eligible.

Since August 2018, grandparents have been able to purchase Premium Bonds online for their grandchildren. And before the end of March 2019, the minimum investment limit will fall from £100 to £25.