Winchester'S missing lucky Lotto ticket holder has finally found the winning slip and claimed the £167,000 prize, thanks to the Daily Echo.

However, one mystery still remains as the fortunate player is keeping his or her identity a closely-guarded secret.

Last week the Daily Echo revealed how Lotto bosses were appealing to Winchester residents to check in their back pockets or to look behind sofas for a lottery ticket bought in the city for the draw on Saturday, May 3.

The ticket had scooped one of the game's top awards, with five matching main-draw balls plus the bonus ball, with the total sum of cash £167,352.

However, since the draw six weeks ago, no one had come forward to claim the winnings and bosses at the Lotto were becoming increasingly concerned that the money would have to be added to the £542m already given to charity from unclaimed prizes since the Lotto started in 1992.

The ticket holder had until October 30 this year to claim the booty but staff at Camelot received a call over the weekend from the winner, who had found the ticket and unsurprisingly wanted his or her cash.

No further details were available from the company as to who the winner is - all winners have the right to keep their identity secret - though it is understood the winner was completely surprised by the result.

A spokesman for Camelot, which runs the game, said: "We are pleased the winner has been found, and thanks to the Daily Echo for helping to publicise the case."