Darlington is the unluckiest place in the North-East for winning Premium Bond top prizes - but, for the second year running, winners in the region are the quickest in the country to claim their money

Although the town won prizes totalling £133,000, the individual amounts won were smaller than anywhere else.

Figures from National Savings and Investments show that bond holders in Durham won 54 prizes of £1,000 or more last year, totalling £128,000.

The North-East tops the national table for claiming prizes, and has the fewest unclaimed prizes in the country.

However, more than 9,500 prizes worth more than £575,000 have still not been claimed in the region.

Of the 120 postcodes across the UK surveyed, Durham ranked 31st in the lucky list, followed in the North-East by Sunderland, Newcastle, Cleveland and Darlington.

Six of the region's 900,000 Premium Bond holders scooped £50,000 prizes last year.

Maureen Anderson, from Bowburn, near Durham, has won prizes almost every month she has held Premium Bonds.

"I win small prizes almost every draw, and have won about £6,000 in total over the years," she said.

"I definitely believe Durham is the luckiest place in the region - last year I came back from holiday and had three wins waiting for me.

"Wins keep you enthusiastic about investing your money, and it doesn't involve any risk. It's like a lottery but your stake's always there."

Premium Bond holders are entered into a monthly draw, and are eligible to win prizes that range from £50 to £1m

Anyone who still has a Premium Bond prize to claim, or thinks they may have won, can use the prize checker at www.nsandi.com