'I feel sick!' Lottery winner could lose £12million prize forever after shopkeeper throws ticket away

A potential lottery winner could miss out on a £12million prize after a shopkeeper threw away her ticket.

Kath Main, 46, had read that a huge June 6 jackpot remained unclaimed.

National Lottery operator Allwyn said the winning ticket had been purchased in Rhondda Cynon Taf in south Wales, with all six of its main numbers matching.

Her mother then took the ticket to be checked in a Londis in Abercynon - but was told it was not a winner.

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She has entered the same set of numbers for 20 years, adding that her mother puts them on for her.

The 46-year-old said: "I just feel sick all the time, it's the not knowing and waiting."

She explained how she was shocked to realise she had won the lottery and quickly rang her mother.

"I said: 'Well we've won the lottery,' and she said: 'I checked and there was no winners.'

"I said: 'No, it's a winner, we've won.' She said: 'How much?' and I said: '£12million.' She said: 'It can't be, the ticket's in the bin'," she said.

Her mother, Fiona, said the machine at the Londis did not beep - and the shopkeeper said nothing had popped up on screen.

She said: "He told me: 'There are no winners, do you want them back?' And I said if there are no winners then put them in the bin.

"Kath told me off and said, 'Why didn't you keep them?"

The bin, unfortunately, had already been emptied by the time Ms Main was aware of what had happened.

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She contacted Allwyn with her proof of purchase and asked if it was possible for a machine to not beep when scanned.

It will take up to 30 days for Allwyn to decide if Ms Main has won.

She said: "I'm the unluckiest person to win the lottery because I don’t have the money.

The owner of the Londis branch, Karan Kumar, said it would be "amazing" if she won, admitting the machine "could have been playing up".

Lottery draws at the shop has been suspended while the investigation is carried out.

"I’m trying not to think about what I’d do with the money in case I don’t get it," Ms Main said.

She said she would love to go to New Zealand for the Lions' rugby tour in 2029.

Allwyn has confirmed the investigation is underway - but added that it is "the only major lottery that allows players to claim a prize if a winning ticket has been lost, stolen or destroyed".

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