Mega Millions jackpot hits record-breaking $1.6bn after no one wins $1bn

No one won Friday's Mega Millions draw, meaning lottery fever is set to grow as the prize rolls over to an eye-watering $1.6bn.

Lottery players will be hoping it's their lucky day during the next draw

The jackpot in a US lottery has climbed to a record-breaking $1.6bn (£1.2bn) after there was no winner on Friday night.

Mega Millions officials confirmed nobody matched all six numbers to claim the £1bn (£765m) prize.

The numbers were 15, 23, 53, 65, 70 and the Mega Ball was 7.

The next draw will be on Tuesday when the estimated jackpot will exceed the largest lottery prize in US history.

It costs $2 (£1.50) to play the game but the odds of winning the grand prize are 302.5 million to one.

Lottery fever has gripped the US as the jackpot has snowballed since it was last won in July, when an 11-member pool of Californian officer workers won $543m (£415.4m at today's rates).

If there is a winner on Tuesday they will be able to opt for an immediate cash payment of $904m (£692m), or receive the $1.6bn over 29 years.

The jackpot will be divided proportionately if there is more than one winner, as happened when the previous Mega Millions record of $656m (£500m today) was drawn in March 2012.

The prize was shared by winners in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland.

Powerball, which holds the record for the largest US lottery prize of $1.586bn (£1.213bn) in 2016, will hold a separate draw on Saturday.

The jackpot grew on Friday to $470m (£360m), with a lump sum value of $268.6m (£205.5m).