The winner of the biggest jackpot in North American history – $758.7m (£590m) – has come forward to collect her prize.

Mother-of-two Mavis Wanczyk, 53, bought the ticket at a Chicopee, Massachusetts, petrol station.

The winner – whose lucky numbers were 6, 7, 16, 23 and 26, and 4 – told reporters she had already quit her job.

The biggest ever US Powerball jackpot was $1.6bn, although that was shared by three ticket holders in January 2016.

Massachusetts State Lottery told reporters the ticket in Wednesday night’s draw had been validated.

“The first thing I want to do is just sit back and relax,” said Ms Wanczyk, chewing gum.

Image copyrightWBZ-TV)

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The winning ticket was bought at a petrol station in Chicopee, Massachusetts

“I had a pipe dream.. and it came true.”

She told journalists she had picked her lucky numbers based on relatives’ birthdays.

Ms Wanczyk said of her 32-year job at a medical centre: “I’ve called them and told them I will not be going back.”

She added that she was “going to go hide in my bed”.

Reporters asked if she had plans to treat herself to something nice, such as a fancy new car.

But Ms Wanczyk replied she just bought a new car less than a year ago, and now plans to pay it off in full.

One lottery official described the woman as “your prototypical Massachusetts resident”.