Neil Jones

By James Drakeford: A lottery winner has come up with an inventive way to help track down an unclaimed lottery ticket bought in Stoke-on-Trent before it expires next week.

Neil Jones, 47, from Fenton, hopes to find the winner through the power of song.

The self-employed tiler and his son Ryan, 17, visited Ye Olde Manor Inne, Fenton, to sing their rendition of Europe’s 80s hit “The Final Countdown” as a reminder there’s not long left to claim the prize.

Although Neil prefers singing Stereophonic’s hit Dakota, he said: ”We sing in pubs every now and again and we dreamt up an idea up to do The Final Countdown, as Wednesday May 11 is going to be the final day for the lottery ticket to be claimed.”

The pair donned glam rock costumes complete with 80s wigs, a smoke machine and air guitar.

Neil believes anyone who has bought a lottery ticket should dig deep and search.

He urges: “Look everywhere, down the back of the sofas, even in the glove compartment in your car.

“You could have bought it and thought ‘I’ll check that at a later date’ and forgotten about it. Get it checked because it will make a huge difference to your life.”

Neil and his partner Julie Kirkham won £2,446,436 in December 2010 but have continued to live ordinary day-to-day lives since, with Julie still working in Wright’s Pies in Longton.

The missing ticket had the winning raffle WCN808991 for the draw on Friday November 12 2010.

The ticket holder has until 5.30pm on Wednesday May 11 to make their claim.

To see the performance, watch the video below: