Hundreds of people have come forward to Camelot claiming £33 million National Lottery jackpot

A grandmother reportedly put her ticket bearing the winning numbers through the wash

Susanne Hinte reportedly rushed into her local newsagent in Worcester with a damaged piece of paper she believed featured the winning combination of numbers (PA)

Hundreds of people have come forward claiming to be the winner of a £33 million National Lottery jackpot, including a grandmother who reportedly put her ticket bearing the winning numbers through the wash.

While Camelot refused to comment directly on any of the unverified claims, they said: “Given the interest in the missing £33m ticket-holder, we have received hundreds of claims of this nature." They added that all the claims - whether of lost, stolen or damaged tickets - are being considered on a case-by-case basis.

One of the claimants, Susanne Hinte, reportedly rushed into her local newsagent in Worcester with a damaged piece of paper she believed featured the winning combination of numbers. The date, bar code and serial number, however, had all been washed off.

Shopkeeper Natu Patel, who helped Ms Hinte to submit a claim after she went to his store in the Warndon area, said the hunt for the winning ticket had created a “genuine buzz” across Worcester.

The spokesman added that Camelot has the discretion to pay prizes in respect of stolen, lost or destroyed National Lottery ticket holders if the player has submitted a claim within 30 days of the relevant claim. “If the player can provide sufficient evidence, we will investigate and consider the validity of the claim,” they added.

Ms Hinte’s daughter, Natasha Douglas, 28, said: “She has never said, ‘I’ve won the lottery’, she’s said she has the winning numbers and I’ve seen them… she’s already had begging letters from people asking for money.

"She works and has worked all her life but I’m not saying what she does. She has two children and four grandchildren.

"If she has won, she wants to set her family up for life and she plans to give some money to charity."

Nick Scott, a roofer and Ms Hinte’s estranged husband, said last night that he was praying that she had won but added: “I have to say it sounds too good to be true.”

He told the Sun that he and Ms Hinte were married for a decade but never divorced after separating. “I’m hoping and praying she’s the winner. Technically I could put a claim in for half. But she’s already told me she’ll look after me and the kids.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” he added.

Additional reporting by Press Association