ONE million pounds worth of Premium Bond prizes are lying unclaimed in Hampshire, the Daily Echo can reveal.

National Savings and Investments (NS&I) has launched a nationwide hunt for winners of more than 740,000 unclaimed prizes worth in excess of £40 million.

And at least 18,000 have won in Hampshire and do not know it.

More than a third of the UK population have invested £42billion in Premium Bonds and for years every eligible bond has been entered into a monthly prize draw.

Because there is no time limit for claiming each of the winners’ money is kept safe until they can be tracked down.

The oldest unclaimed prize in Hampshire dates from 1963 and is worth £25.

One woman in the region, who has invested £14 in Premium Bonds, has yet to collect her prize of £1,000 from 1994.

Another man bought a fiver’s worth of bonds in May 2001 but does not know he won a grand.

Jill Waters, NS&I operations manager, said: “It is likely that many of the winners are unaware or have forgotten that they have Premium Bonds.

“Prizes often become unclaimed as a result of people moving house, or forgetting that bonds have been bought for them as a child, or executors are unaware the bonds are held when someone dies.

“By opting to manage your Premium Bonds online, you could reduce the risk of missing out on prizes, as they can be paid directly into your bank account.”

People claiming for those bond holders who have died must have proof they were entitled to their estate, as do people who have power of attorney over a winner.

Alternatively, write to Premium Bonds, National Savings and Investments, Blackpool, FY3 9YP, including your name, date of birth, address, any former names and addresses and your Premium Bond holder’s number.

Any questions can be directed to 0500 007 007.