Spain’s huge Christmas lottery spreads riches worth almost €3bn

Top prize, known as El Gordo or the Fat One, won by ticket holders in the northern city of Logrono

Players with winning tickets in Spain's huge Christmas lottery draw celebrated with sparkling wine, cheers and hugs on Sunday in a 200-year-old tradition that marks the beginning of the festive season.

The total prize pot in the state-run national lottery event reached 2.71bn (2.25bn) this year, slightly more than last year's 2.59bn