A £1m lottery jackpot prize has gone unclaimed after the deadline for the winner to come forward passed in silence.

The lucky National Lottery EuroMillions ticket was bought in Hartlepool for the draw on Friday, March 13.

Despite an extensive search to find the winner, however, no valid claim was made for the £1 million prize - won by matching Millionaire Maker code JLZG97793 – and so now the money will be used to benefit lottery-funded projects.

Players were urged to check wardrobes, clothing and even the back of sofas in the search for the winning ticket.

A £1m-winning lottery ticket bought in Hartlepool has gone unclaimed after the deadline for its owner to come forward passed.

placeholder image — A £1m-winning lottery ticket bought in Hartlepool has gone unclaimed after the deadline for its owner to come forward passed.

Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at Allwyn, which operates The National Lottery, has now said: “Despite a widespread appeal encouraging players to check their tickets, the EuroMillions ticket-holder in Hartlepool did not come forward to claim their prize.

“While we are disappointed the winner never came forward, it’s fantastic that this money will now go on to support National Lottery-funded projects that help strengthen communities and improve lives across the UK.”

The deadline for the ticket-holder to claim their prize was midnight on Wednesday, September 9, 180 days after the draw took place.

The prize will now add to the more than £33 million raised every week for National Lottery-funded projects.

Lottery bosses say more than £53 billion has been raised for good causes overall.

Among the local organisations to benefit recently include Hartlepool Rugby Football Club, which received nearly £40,000 to support the development of a sustainable community energy scheme, and Sidequest Was Taken CIC, which was granted more than £51,000 towards funding community art projects.