Mum knows best, so hurry and find ticket (From This Is Wiltshire)

MUMS across the town are being asked to help locate an unclaimed EuroMillions Millionaire raffle ticket that was bought in Swindon – but expires on March 27.

The plea from the National Lottery comes after almost one in five people questioned in the south west said their mums have special powers which they engage to help find missing items.

And it could mean an extra special Mother’s Day present from loved ones should a mum locate the precious ticket.

The winning ticket was bought in the town for the EuroMillions draw on September 28. It matched the EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle selection ZLJ501773.

For every EuroMillions line played, UK players automatically receive a EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle selection printed on their ticket. The prize must be claimed by Wednesday, March 27, before the ticket expires.

The National Lottery survey of more than 1,000 people showed mum really knows best: one in ten of us turn to mum when we have lost something, even if we don’t live in the same house.

Items that mums have most commonly helped locate include important personal information such as birth certificates, clothes and addresses for friends or family.

Occasionally mums have also be called upon to find missing pets, missing children and even missing partners who have gone walkabout on a shopping trip.

A National Lottery spokesperson said: “According to our research, 40 per cent of those who gave us feedback said their mums will sometimes miraculously find something that they themselves have failed to locate.

“With this in mind in the run-up to Mother’s Day and the ticket expiry date, we encourage everyone in Swindon to ask their mum to help in the search.

“You never know, those miraculous powers could be engaged to help find that life-changing £1m fortune.”

For mums querying if they need to add the search for a EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle ticket to their already busy day, keep in mind that almost a third of those surveyed and living in the south west would share their winnings with their mum – £500,000 would be a fabulous Mother’s Day present.

With so much money at stake, the National Lottery is encouraging mums to explore more unusual spots in the search for the illusive ticket.

Strange spots worthy of a look include the pockets of summer clothing and handbags, the bottom of reusable grocery bags, between the pages of a book or magazine you were reading in September or even in any Olympics or Paralympic memorabilia you may have kept from London 2012.

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.

Anyone who believes they have the winning EuroMillions ticket should call the National Lottery Line on 0845 910 0000.