Hundreds claim ownership of unidentified £33m lotto ticket

Claimants numbering in their hundreds have come forward to assert ownership of an as yet unidentified winning UK National Lottery ticket worth £33m.

Organisers Camelot said the winning ticket - with the numbers 26, 27, 46, 47, 52 and 58 - was bought in Worcester. While one half of the £66m jackpot has been claimed, the owner of the second of two winning tickets has not been formally identified.

Earlier this week, a woman in Worcester claimed to have the winning ticket but said it had been washed in a pair of jeans. While said the claim is being verified, Camelot commented that “hundreds more” have now reported stolen, damaged or lost tickets.

The lottery operator said it would not reveal details of unverified claims during ongoing investigations, but stressed that fraudulent attempts to claim would be liable for legal action.

"All of the claims are currently being considered on a case-by-case basis, and we will follow up with all claimants directly to advise them whether their claim will be investigated further," a spokesperson said.

Camelot has the discretion to pay prizes in respect of stolen, lost or destroyed tickets only if the owner submits a claim in writing within 30 days of the relevant draw. If the owner could provide sufficient evidence, Camelot would investigate and determine "at its discretion" whether the claim is valid, and is able to pay the prize 180 days after the draw.

The sum at stake is the biggest lotto win since the National Lottery was launched in November 1994.