Close them down, they are basically mis representing themselves, by using questions that seem basic enough, even if someone rang the answer in, i'm sure they would change it...

Adam Webb, Buckingham, UK

let's face it - the winners will only ever be the Fagins at ITV, laughing all the way to the bank, but mostly at those who ring in

penz, london, england

Having said which, ITV must take the prize for utter stupidity for not simply adopting Karen Howe's solution (add the numeric values of "the pence" to get the missing 68) - no-one could have argued with that, whereas their awful official solution reeks of bad faith.

Matt West, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

I have one word for this farce. SCAM.

Margaret, Pontypridd, UK

The "official" solution is hardly even coherent.

I prefer the solution reached first by Phil Hampson then by myself (I posted it just before Phil Hampson's solution had appeared online, I hasten to add) then (presumably independently) by Alex Parsons, Pat Fox-Roberts, James Beech, Beatrice Parke and David Rowbottom. As seven of us reached the same solution independently, our solution is more intuitive and appropriate than the official solution.

I think we deserve £30,000 each and meanwhile ITV should be put in the stocks for - adding the pence - almost exactly eight months. Answers on a postcard please, to ...

Matt West, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

That "solution" appears to have been constructed to ensure that the only way to reach the "correct" answer is to have prior information on the technique used to arrive at that answer.

To my mind this is similar to the question about the contents of a lady's handbag which has been widely quoted in the media - designed to look childishly simple but actually be virtually impossible to solve.

Robert, Edinburgh,

I think I speak for us all when I say THAT'S RIDICULOUS!

steph, london,

I would suggest a slightly less contrived version would be as follows:
Add the existing quantities together to make 438p.
Add the traditional post decimal whole pence values together ("the pence): 50p + 10p + 5p +2p + 1p = 68p
438p + 68p = 508p
This came to me at 01.20 today whilst still jet lagged from a transatlantic flight , so I must qualify as an early hours poor sleeper, however I deny drunkenness.
Can I claim my £30K from ITV to help them in their plight?

Dr Hugh Trowell, Shanklin, Isle of Wight