AN UNSUSPECTING lottery ticket holder from the Dundee area could be missing out on a fortune after the National Lottery announced that a prize of £56,501 has yet to be claimed by a local winner.

Lottery organisers Camelot say the ticket was bought in Dundee or the surrounding area last month but the winner has still to come forward.

They are now urging lottery players in Tayside to check and double-check their tickets for the chance to claim the prize.

The winning ticket matched five numbers plus the bonus ball in the Lotto draw on Wednesday, September 19.

The winning numbers on that date were 2, 5, 6, 13, 25, 47, and the bonus ball 45.

The lucky ticket-holder has until 5.30pm on March 17 next year to make their claim.

If no one comes forward before the deadline, then the money, plus all the interest it has generated, will go to the good causes.

A National Lottery spokesman 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 look anywhere a missing ticket could be hiding.

“We have the champagne on ice and our fingers crossed that the lucky winner comes forward.”

To jog Lotto players’ memories, Shoot ’Em Up starring Clive Owen was showing at cinemas across the country, while Sean Kingston was topping the singles chart with Beautiful Girls.

Closer to home, Dundee Stars Ice Hockey fans were celebrating their 7-6 home win against Fife Flyers.

With all National Lottery draws, players have 180 days to claim their prize.

The largest unclaimed amount outstanding is the jackpot prize of £2,214,747, which was sold in the London borough of Ealing in August, while a Glasgow punter is sitting on a ticket worth more than £95,000, which was bought in June.

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 9100000.