The UK National Lottery operator Camelot has launched a New Year search for the winners of £16.3 million (US$30.9 million) in unclaimed prize money from last year.

The biggest outstanding ticket was bought in Belfast in August and is now worth £7 million (US$13.3 million) - if anyone can find it.

Winners have 180 days to claim their prizes before the money is donated to arts, sports and community groups.

Anyone who believes they have a winning ticket can call the National Lottery line on 0845 910 0000.

A ticket bought from the Swale area of Kent last July is worth £1.5 million (US$2.8 million) while another, bought in the Wyre area of Lancashire, won £2.8 million (US$5.3 million).

Their owners have until 17 and 24 January respectively to claim their prizes.

Check your tickets

Two tickets worth £1.6 million (US$3 million) each were bought in Stroud, Gloucestershire, and Sandwell, West Midlands. They will expire in May.

Fabian Devlin, of Camelot, said: "We hear of many reasons why people don't come forward - they accidentally throw away their tickets, they don't check their tickets properly, or they lose them, to name just a few.