THE family of a Worcester teenager is threatening to sue programme makers after his correct answer on Who Wants to be a Millionaire was ruled to be wrong.

Former King's School pupil Edward Oliver appeared on the hit show on Thursday when he was asked the meaning of Vermicelli, a form of pasta.

The 20-year-old, who had one lifeline left after using the 50:50 option and phoning a friend, gambled and answered "little threads".

But the programme's host Chris Tarrant - also a former pupil at the Worcester school - said the answer was wrong and the meaning was "little worms".

The ruling cost Edward £7,000.

Yesterday, the Evening News revealed the mistake when crossword addict Joyce Philpott said the teenager should be given another chance to take the £8,000 prize and continue for the £1m jackpot.

Now the family is considering legal advice against programme makers Celador, saying that the dictionary does give the meaning of the word as "little threads".

"Celador called us after the Evening News contacted them regarding an elderly woman who said Ed was correct, which made us wonder," said Edward's mum Sarah.

"We looked in a dictionary and it said "little threads".

We then checked several other dictionaries which all said the same, but when we contacted Celador we were told we were wrong.

"We had a great day and we don't want to be unfair, but it's not right to be told the answer was wrong when it wasn't.

"We are seriously considering legal action."

In yesterday's Evening News Ruth Settle, of Celador, said Edward - currently taking A-levels at Worcester Sixth Form College - answered incorrectly because he gave the description, not the meaning of the word.

But the family claims the question was too ambiguous and says Edward, of Alfrick, should have another chance in the show.

"We all feel we had a great day, everyone was really nice and very friendly," he said.

"If they had not rung I would have never known. It is a bit frustrating to know I was right and would love to go back on."