Britons win £47m share of Euro lotto
19 Nov 2006

British punters won the biggest slice of this weekend's £123m EuroMs jackpot.

The prize was shared among 20 ticket-holders across Europe, with seven from Britain claiming a total of £47m - the biggest payout in National Lottery history.

A syndicate from Market Drayton, Shropshire, was among the winners, pocketing £6.75m. Each of 33 members will get about £204,500.

Syndicate member David Bowden said yesterday: 'The news is still sinking in. I've been celebrating since Friday night.' He and wife Daryl intend to pay off their mortgage.

There was no single winning ticket so the massive pot - gathered from 12 different lottery-playing countries - was shared between winners across Europe who had five matching numbers and one matching Lucky Star number.

Britain had the most winners, France had four, Portugal and Spain three, Ireland two and Belgium one. If one winner had matched all five main numbers and the two Lucky Star numbers they would have claimed the lot - and become the world's biggest lottery winner.

The payout was made despite the lack of a single winning ticket because the jackpot was not legally permitted to roll over again. Friday's was the 11th and final rollover allowed.

Within hours of the draw, four of the British winners came forward. Commenting on the three who had not yet claimed, Camelot said: 'They could be on holiday or not yet realise what has happened.'