£56k Lotto prize remains unclaimed in Basingstoke

National Lottery players are being urged to check and double-check their tickets for the chance to claim this life-enhancing prize.

The search is now on to find the owner of the winning ticket, bought in Basingstoke, who matched five numbers and the bonus ball in the Lotto draw on July 18, 2015.

The winning Lotto numbers on that date were 8, 15, 17, 33, 41, 47 and the bonus ball was 35.

The lucky ticket-holder has until January 14, 2016, to claim their prize.

If no one comes forward with the winning ticket before the deadline, then the prize money, plus all the interest it has generated, will go to help National Lottery funded projects in the UK.

A National Lottery spokesman said: “We’re eager to find the mystery ticket-holder and unite them with their winnings – this amazing prize could really make a huge difference to somebody’s life. We’re urging everyone who bought a Lotto ticket in this area to check their old tickets again or look anywhere a missing ticket could be hiding.

“Try checking in the pockets of clothing, in wallets, bags and down the back of the sofa – someone out there could literally be sitting on a fortune! We have the champagne on ice and our fingers crossed that the lucky winner comes forward to claim their win.”

To help jog Lotto players’ memories about what was happening around the date of the draw in question, local football team, Basingstoke Town FC, were warming up for a new season with a pre-season friendly against football league opponents, Reading on July 18.

Fans of the Dragons will remember that the team triumphed 3-2 over their more illustrious opponents. Sports fans will also remember that the second Ashes Test at Lords was taking place at the time, although followers of English cricket may well want to forget the 405-run defeat to the Australians.

Anyone who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery Line on 0845 910 0000.