The search to find a missing winning lottery ticket worth £1million purchased in Hammersmith & Fulham has stepped as the expiry deadline approaches.

Members of the London Corinthian Sailing Club, previously funded by the National Lottery, were on hand to assist with the search in the River Thames today (February 18).

A ticket was purchased in Hammersmith & Fulham with the winning numbers before the Lotto Medal Draw on August 27 last year.

But so far the lucky winner has not come forward and the ticket is due to expire on Thursday (February 23).

The ticket needs to be claimed by February 23

If no one comes forward with the ticket by then, the prize money plus all interest will go to National Lottery-funded projects.

Sailors were today donning the winning Lotto Millionaire Raffle code, RUBY 7100 1234, on their sails as they made their way through the Thames.

Volunteer and sailor at the club, Warren Kendall, said: "The London Corinthian Sailing Club’s purchase of its clubhouse was one of the first projects awarded lottery funding through Sport England in 1996.

"This funding safeguarded our building for sports use in perpetuity and is an invaluable resource for a club such as ours meaning we can offer dinghy and offshore sailing and training to people all across London.

"Through National Lottery funding the club has also been able to install a pontoon and develop a new sailor skills programme, thereby encouraging more people to experience the fun, camaraderie and challenge of sailing right here in the nation’s capital.

"We are delighted to support the hunt and hope we find that lucky ticket-holder.

"As a club we already feel like lottery winners due to the National Lottery funding we have enjoyed, now let’s find that other lottery winner in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham!"

Sailors took to the Thames today in the search for the winner

The draw was a one-off event to celebrate the 27 Gold medals won at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

It has created 26 millionaires so far, with the Hammersmith & Fulham ticket set to be the 27th if it is claimed.

A total of 23 prizes of £100,000 were handed out in addition to 17 additional prizes of £50,000, to represent Silver and Bronze medals.

If you have the winning ticket, you can claim by calling 0844 338 7551.

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