There is no legal requirement on them to do so, but if I were them, I would

Culture Secretary Chris Smith

The Totts did not realise they had won with their regular choice of numbers until six months after the September draw.

Lost ticket claims must be made within 30 days of the draw.

Camelot said that to pay up would undermine the lottery's rules and damage its integrity.

But Mr Smith, the minister with responsibility for the lottery, said: "There is no legal requirement on them to do so, but if I were them, I would."

His comments came in response to a question from a Question Time audience member.

Legal advice

Mr Smith was then asked by presenter David Dimbleby if he would use his powers to persuade Camelot to pay up or face losing the licence to run the lottery.

Under the rules there are no powers either for Camelot to pay the claim, or for the National Lottery Commission to authorise payment of the claim

Camelot

He replied: "Well, they've got their licence back, but I hope that they will actually see reason in this matter."

In response to Mr Smith's comments, Camelot issued a statement which said: "The decision not to pay was only made after extensive legal advice and consultation with its regulator the National Lottery Commission.

"Under the rules there are no powers either for Camelot to pay the claim, or for the National Lottery Commission to authorise payment of the claim.

"Given these facts, to pay would be to set a precedent that would put the National Lottery at risk.

"It is not a question of 'seeing reason' - it is about upholding rules that protect the National Lottery and its ability to raise funds for the public good."

Mr and Mrs Tott had answered a television appeal on 5 March over an unclaimed jackpot ticket bought in their area for the midweek draw on 6 September last year.

In tears, Mrs Tott told GMTV earlier this week: "I am absolutely gutted. I feel sick inside."

The �3,011,065 jackpot - the largest unclaimed prize since the National Lottery began in 1994 - will go to good causes.