The first bond number drawn was 193NH145072 and belongs to a winner in Leeds. The jackpot winner holds £20,002 in Premium Bonds and purchased the winning bond in June 2012. They become the fourth millionaire chosen by ERNIE from Leeds.

The second bond number drawn was 446WL848124 and the winner comes from Essex. The winner holds £50,000 in Premium Bonds and purchased their winning bond in March 2021. They become the 18th Premium Bonds millionaire from Essex.

Aside from the two new millionaires, there were more than 3.3 million other prizes paid out this month worth between £25 and £100,000.

For those unfamiliar with Premium Bonds, two £1m jackpots are paid out each month, then the rest of the prize fund is share allocated to the higher value band equally among the remaining prize values. Six prizes of £100,000 are paid out, 10 at £50,000 and so on down to 100 at £5,000. ERNIE, the Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment, selects the Premium Bonds winners.

Premium Bonds customers can add to their Premium Bonds holding quickly and securely, both for themselves or their child, via bank transfer.

In December 2021, 216,000 customers set up a regular standing order via their bank to help them save in Premium Bonds month-on-month and create a regular savings habit. By topping up regularly each month, customers are giving themselves further chances to win in each monthly draw.

Jill Waters, NS&I retail director, said: “A huge congratulations to our Premium Bonds jackpot winners in Leeds and Essex. ERNIE has brightened up 2022 with a truly life changing sum of money.

“Aside from the two £1m winners, ERNIE will be paying out more than 3.3 million tax-free prizes, sharing the love of Premium Bonds prize wins up and down the country.

“It’s not too late to start a savings habit for 2022, as people can invest in Premium Bonds from just £25. They can do this via bank transfer or set up a regular standing order to help them fall in love with savings this Valentine’s Day.”

Customers can choose to have their prizes paid directly to their bank account or have their wins automatically reinvested into more Premium Bonds. By having prizes paid directly, it reduces the number of prizes that go unclaimed and means that customers can benefit from their wins more quickly.

Almost nine in 10 prizes are now paid directly to customers’ bank accounts or reinvested into more bonds and this is quicker, easier and more secure for customers than receiving them via cheque in the post.

Premium Bonds holders can check to see if they have won a prize in February’s prize draw, by using the nsandi.com prize checker, official prize checker app or their Alexa-enabled device from Wednesday 2 February 2022.

Customers will need their Premium Bonds holder’s number to use the website and their NS&I number or holder’s number to check via the prize checker app. At the same time, they can check for any unclaimed prizes owed to them.

In the February 2022 prize draw, a total of 3,363,088 prizes worth £96,688,825 will be paid out. There were 116,026,566,248 bond numbers eligible for the draw. Since the first draw in June 1957, ERNIE has drawn 552 million prizes with a total value of £22.6bn.