A National Lottery ticket holder in Bexley, south-east London, has missed out on a £10.6 million jackpot after failing to claim the prize within the 180-day deadline. The ticket was purchased on 4 October last year, and the deadline expired last Thursday, leaving the would-be millionaire empty-handed.
Despite an extensive search by Allwyn, the lottery operator, no valid claim was made. The jackpot will now be donated to good causes supported by the National Lottery. Allwyn described the situation as 'very unusual' for a prize of this size to go unclaimed, as most unclaimed prizes are smaller-tier ones.
Andy Carter, senior winners' adviser at Allwyn, said: 'Despite an extensive search for the mystery Bexley millionaire, I can confirm that the ticket-holder did not come forward to claim their Lotto prize and has now unfortunately missed out on this life-changing sum of money.' He added that the funds would benefit community projects, including several in the Bexley area.
Among the projects supported by the lottery in Bexley are the Exchange Erith, a community-led arts and crafts organisation, and You and Me Happy Family Children's Disability Trust, which provides inclusive support for disabled children and their carers. There are currently five major National Lottery prizes worth more than £3.2 million yet to be claimed.
