A LOTTO prize worth £80,325 has yet to be claimed after the ticket was bought last month.

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

Lottery organisers think Japan's shock 34-32 victory over South Africa in the Rugby World Cup may have distracted the lucky winner.

The match at Brighton and Hove Albion's American Express Community Stadium took place on the day of the draw, September 19.

The search is on to find the owner of the winning ticket, who matched five numbers and the bonus ball in the Lotto draw. The ticket was bought in the constituency of Chichester.

The winning Lotto numbers on that date were 14, 26, 28, 31, 32 and 44 and the bonus ball was 22.

The lucky ticket-holder has until March 17 next year to claim their prize.

If no one comes forward with the winning ticket before the deadline, the prize money and the interest it has generated will go to help National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.

A National Lottery spokesman said: “We’re eager to find the 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 who bought a Lotto ticket in this area 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.”

To help jog Lotto players’ memories about what was happening around the date of the draw in question, rugby fans may also remember that England opened their ill-fated Rugby World Cup campaign with a 35-11 win over Fiji at Twickenham the night before the Lotto draw.

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.

Alternatively, players can email help@national-lottery.co.uk to claim their prize but they must do so no later than the end of the 180-day claim period.