A LOTTO prize of £50,503 remains unclaimed by a possibly oblivious winning ticket holder in County Durham.

The search is on for the owner of a winning ticket, bought in the east of the county earlier this month, who has yet to come forward to claim their prize money.

Lotto players in Easington and Peterlee areas are specifically being urged to double-check their tickets for the chance to claim the £50,503.

The, as yet unclaimed ticket carried five of the six drawn numbers, plus the bonus ball in the Lotto draw on Wednesday April 15.

Winning numbers from that evening’s draw were 5, 9, 18, 23, 31, 39, while the bonus ball was 37.

The lucky ticket-holder has until 5.30pm on Monday 12 October 2009 to make their claim to ensure receiving the prize.

If no-one comes forward with the winning ticket before the deadline, the prize money, plus the interest generated, will go to good causes.

It would add to the £22 billion already raised through sales since the National Lottery launch, in November 1994.

A National Lottery spokesperson said: "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 to look anywhere a missing ticket could be hiding.

"Try checking in the pockets of clothing, in wallets, bags or 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 jog Lotto players’ memories, local football team Easington Colliery AFC won 2-0 away to Cumbrian side Cleator Moor Celtic, in a Wearside League Premier Division fixture, that night.

Days later, Peterlee Town went down 8-1 to Northern Alliance Premier Division leaders Walker Central.

* Anyone who believes they have an unclaimed winning ticket for any draw, within the 180-day deadline, should call the National Lottery Line, on 0845-910 0000.

* Among other outstanding unclaimed tickets within the deadline period is a £250,000 Thunderball jackpot, bought in Newcastle, from the April 8 draw.