A National Lottery jackpot of £10.6 million has gone unclaimed after the 180-day deadline expired, leaving the mystery ticket holder in Bexley, south-east London, empty-handed. The winning Lotto ticket was purchased on 4 October last year, but no valid claim was made before the deadline on Thursday.
Allwyn, the operator of the National Lottery, confirmed that despite an extensive search, the winner did not come forward. The jackpot will now be donated to charitable causes supported by the lottery, which raises £33 million weekly for projects across the UK.
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.'
Unclaimed major prizes are rare, with Allwyn noting that most unclaimed winnings are smaller-tier prizes. Currently, five major prizes worth over £3.2 million remain unclaimed, including three £1 million EuroMillions or Lotto tickets.
The unclaimed funds will benefit good causes in the Bexley area, such as the Exchange Erith community arts organisation and the You and Me Happy Family Children's Disability Trust.
