The persons who won a share of the US$564 million Powerball jackpot might still be jumping in joy until now but the lottery head of North Carolina said the winner needs to do some simple steps to protect his ticket.

First, the winner holding the ticket should immediately affix his or her signature at the back of the ticket and then put the ticket in a safe place, said Alice Garland, executive director of the NC Education Lottery.

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Thw person who won sould then get some professional advice - financial and social - before heading to lottery headquarters in Raleigh to claim the jackpot.

The winner has 180 days from Wednesday's drawing to the claim his share of the prize.

It was the fourth time that a North Carolina ticket has won a Powerball jackpot.

In the latest drawing, a Scotchman convenience store in the town of Shallotte in Brunswick County sold the winning ticket.

The store will get a US$50,000 retailer incentive award for selling a winning jackpot ticket.

According to reports, the Powerball winner in North Carolina is a 26-year-old mother of four, including one with cerebral palsy.

The mother, identified as Marie Holmes, worked at Walmart and McDonald's but decided to quit so she can take care of her children, a WSOC TV report said.

Holmes said she had started her shift at the 24-hour station early Thursday when the lottery machine alerted her that the winning ticket had been sold at that location. She said she "couldn't believe it" according to the report.

The winner will be able to claim their PRIZE on Friday, choosing either a lump sum of $101.6 million or 30 payments over 29 years for the full amount.

Tagspowerball, Powerball Winner