National Lottery players reveal who they would splash the cash on if they scooped £318m jackpot

The findings come as a colossal £318million Powerball jackpot awaits a winner this Tuesday.

Some 61 per cent of respondents indicated they would be generous with their partner, yet just 52 per cent said the same about their children.

An overwhelming 97 per cent of those polled believed winners ought to spread their good fortune, with the typical respondent saying they would distribute the money among four people.

Friends would benefit too, with 47 per cent of would-be winners prepared to hand over cash to their mates.

Remarkably, 16 per cent said they would even splash out on their pets.

Generosity tends to dry up beyond one's inner circle, however, with only one in ten willing to share with anyone outside family and friends.

Charitable causes would receive a slice from 35 per cent of winners.

Work colleagues might also be in luck, though only seven per cent expressed a willingness to share with those they sit alongside in the office.

"While people may admit to a little harmless playfulness when imagining life as a millionaire, the research shows generosity remains a huge part of the dream, with most people saying they'd share their winnings with family, friends and the people who matter most to them, and more than a third saying they'd use their fortune to make a difference in the world," said Andy Carter, senior winners' adviser at Allwyn, operator of the National Lottery.

The survey also explored who people would most want to see scoop the prize if they themselves fell short.

Partners topped the list, with 37 per cent choosing their other half.

Mothers came second at 27 per cent, followed by children at 24 per cent.

Fathers, by contrast, languished at a mere 14 per cent - half the figure recorded by mothers.

Best friends were selected by 12 per cent of respondents.

Brothers and sisters fared worst of all, with sisters chosen by 10 per cent and brothers by just nine per cent.

Mr Carter said: "We all do it. Close our eyes and start spending a jackpot win as soon as we've purchased our ticket.

"And with a Powerball jackpot of £318million currently up for grabs, it's no surprise people are daydreaming about how a truly life-changing sum could transform their lives, who they'd share it with and, according to our research, who they perhaps wouldn't.

"And those dreams often go far beyond what they'd buy. Whether it's snapping up the house next door so we can choose our neighbours, never having to queue again or helping loved ones, a big win clearly gets the imagination going."