A National Lottery winner has claimed a �1.9m jackpot just two days before the ticket was due to expire.

The winner, who has asked for no publicity, came forward after hearing recent media reports about the unclaimed jackpot.

The ticket had been bought in Leicester for the draw on 24 October last year and the winner had until 2300 BST on Monday to claim the money.

A National Lotteries spokeswoman told BBC News Online the jackpot had been claimed on Saturday, two days before the 180-day expiry date.

"It is very unusual for someone to have the ticket and claim after 178 days, especially for a jackpot amount.

"There had been a lot of TV, radio and press coverage and they have checked their old tickets and found it."

The winning numbers on the ticket were 8, 38, 39, 40, 43 and 44.

Had the winner not come forward, the �1.9m would have been handed out to good causes.