AN amazing Thunderball prize of £500,000 – the top prize in the game – has yet to be claimed from a ticket bought in Northern Ireland.

National Lottery players are being urged to check and double-check their tickets for the chance to claim this life-enhancing prize in time.

The search is now on to find the owner of the winning ticket, bought in County Tyrone, who matched all five numbers and the Thunderball in the draw on Wednesday 2 April 2014.

The winning Thunderball numbers on that date were 11, 18, 21, 29, 30 and, the Thunderball, 4. The lucky ticket-holder has until Monday 29 September 2014 to make their claim.1

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 the National Lottery Good Causes – adding to the £31 billion already raised through sales of lottery tickets since The National Lottery launched 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 huge difference to somebody’s life. We’re urging everyone to check their old tickets again or look anywhere a missing ticket could be hiding.

“Try checking in the pockets of clothing, in wallets, bags and 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.”

Anyone 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 0845 910 0000.

Anyone concerned about lost or unchecked tickets may like to consider either setting up a National Lottery Subscription or playing online at www.national-lottery.co.uk. Numbers can be entered in advance and lucky winners are notified online if their numbers come up. For further information call 0845 912 5000 or visit www.national-lottery.co.uk.