LOTTERY organisers are stepping up the hunt for a lucky winner who has yet to claim a £250,000 jackpot more than six weeks after their numbers were drawn.

The Thunderball ticket, with the numbers 10, 12, 18, 21, 29, with the Thunderball number of 5, was bought in Bishop Auckland, Ferryhill or Sedgefield, all in County Durham, or Stockton on Teesside.

The search is now on to find the winner of the draw - which took place on Saturday, July 7. They have until 5.30pm on Thursday, January 3, to claim before the money goes to good causes.

A National Lottery spokesperson: "We're desperate to find this mystery ticket-holder and unite them with their winnings - this amazing prize could really make a difference to somebody's life.

"We're urging everyone to check their old tickets again or look anywhere a missing ticket could be hiding over the Bank Holiday weekend."

Anyone who believes they have the winning ticket is asked to call the National Lottery Line on 0845-910-0000.