A man has been charged with fraud for allegedly using a fake national lottery ticket to claim a £2.5m prize.

Edward Putman, from Kings Langley in Hertfordshire, came forward in 2009 after appeals about an unclaimed ticket and the national lottery awarded the 53-year-old the multimillion-pound prize.

Hertfordshire police said they began an investigation three years ago after evidence came to light that the claim was not genuine.

Putman has been charged with fraud by false representation.

A police spokesman said: “In 2015 an investigation was opened by Hertfordshire constabulary’s serious fraud and cyber unit, after evidence came to light that the claim was not genuine.”

A spokesman for Camelot, the national lottery operator, said: “We’re aware that an individual has been charged. However, while we appreciate that some people may want to know further detail, it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment at this stage, given that the matter is now the subject of criminal proceedings.”

Putman was released on bail to appear at St Albans magistrates court on 16 October.