A National Lottery ticket bought in Essex contains the winning numbers for the largest unclaimed prize in the draw's five-year history, Camelot has revealed.

The Lottery operator is appealing for the holder of the �5m winning ticket from the National Lottery's 5th Birthday Superdraw on 20 November to come forward.

The winner has already lost �29,000 in interest in the six weeks since the draw, says Camelot.

The company wants all players to check their old tickets, to ensure they do not miss out on the biggest chunk of �38m in outstanding prizes.

The ticket holds the winning numbers 7, 9, 15, 20, 29, and 34, with the bonus number 6.

Carolyn Fitzgerald of Camelot said: "Whoever won could have had a fantastic Christmas and enjoyed a wonderful holiday.

"They would be celebrating the millennium in spectacular style. They could have bought the car or house of their dreams, shared the money with family and friends and would have a wonderful outfit to be wearing on millennium eve.

"It is incredible that people forget to check their ticket. People must always keep their tickets in a safe place and check their numbers just in case".

Millennium draw

Camelot refuses to be more specific about where the ticket was bought because it might compromise the winner's right to anonymity should they come forward, the spokeswoman added.

Lottery winners have 180 days to claim their prize. After that the money is donated to good causes, along with the interest it has earned.

Meanwhile the countdown has begun to Friday's Big Draw 2000, which offers a one in a million chance to become a millionaire and is expected to be one of the largest lottery events the world has ever seen.

Dianne Thompson, commercial operations director of Camelot, said: "This will be a unique night in the history of the National Lottery, creating more millionaires than ever before."