A couple who won £161 million in the lottery, the largest ever prize claimed in Britain, have announced their intention “to divorce amicably”.

Chris and Colin Weir, who scooped the EuroMillions prize in 2011, also confirmed in a statement they had been living apart “for some time”.

The couple from Largs, Ayrshire, have been married for more than 30 years and have two grown-up children.

A statement issued to The Scottish Sun said: “It is with deep regret that Chris and Colin confirm they have been living apart for some time and intend to divorce amicably.

“There will be no further comment.”

Colin, a former TV cameraman, and Chris, a former psychiatric nurse, made the Sunday Times Rich List with their win eight years ago.

The pair set up The Weir Charitable Trust in 2013 and made a donation to a community football club in their local Largs.

Partick Thistle Football Club also received investment from the couple which led to the youth set-up being rebranded the Thistle Weir Youth Academy and a section of their Firhill Stadium being named the Colin Weir Stand.

They also defended making a donation of £1 million to the independence campaign ahead of the 2014 referendum, and continued donating to the SNP afterwards.