A MYSTERY North-East lottery ticket-holder has just days left to claim a £1m win or lose their prize.

A EuroMillions ticket bought in North Tyneside earlier this year won a top prize in the UK Millionaire maker draw.

But unless the winner comes forward by September 9, they will lose their chance to become an instant millionaire.

The winning ticket for the March 13 draw includes the winning Millionaire Maker code FPY442445.

Lottery millionaires Kim and Ian McCarthy, the Darlington couple who won the jackpot on Christmas Day 2012, urged players to double-check their EuroMillions tickets.

Kim said: “It’s very exciting to think that someone out there is sitting on a life-changing amount of money.

“I can still remember the moment we won, we couldn’t believe it, it was the best Christmas present anyone could have asked for.

“To think that someone out there is about to go through the same experience is amazing.

“There’s only a few days left to claim so I do hope they come forward!”

If no-one comes forward with the winning ticket before the prize claim deadline,

then the prize money, plus interest, will go to help National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.

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.