THE countdown is really on for a mystery local lottery winner in Redditch who has a week left to claim a £500,000 prize.

The search continues to find the owner of the winning ticket who matched all five main numbers and the Thunderball in the draw on December 8 2023.

The missing ticket was bought in Redditch and the winning Thunderball numbers on that date were 2, 15, 31, 35, 37 and the Thunderball was 6.

The lucky ticket-holder only has until June 5 to claim their prize.

Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at The National Lottery, said: “It has been almost six months since the Thunderball draw in question and we’ve still not been contacted by the rightful ticket-holder to claim their prize, despite numerous appeals. All hope is not lost, however, as we’ve received valid claims on major National Lottery unclaimed prizes right up to the very last minute before - but time is running out.

“It really is as simple as taking a couple of minutes out of your day to dig out and check your Thunderball tickets. We’re urging everyone to double-check the pockets of clothing, in wallets, bags and down the back of the sofa for the missing ticket. This money could really make a huge difference to someone’s life and we are ready and waiting with champagne on ice for that life-changing phone call to come in to us here at The National Lottery.”

“Players can check their tickets online by downloading the National Lottery app or at national-lottery.co.uk. Players can also check tickets in retail. Playing online via the app or website means that your ticket is checked, and you get an email notification if you win a prize. You can also scan your retail tickets on the National Lottery app to check if you're a winner.”

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

Anyone who has any queries or 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 0333 234 5050 or email help@national-lottery.co.uk