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The Treasury has revealed details of the 31 unclaimed estates of people who have died in Eastbourne, with hundreds of thousands of pounds of inheritance sat in limbo until the rightful heir is found.

The latest Treasury List provides details of almost 6,500 unclaimed estates across the UK.

Unclaimed estates, classed as ‘ownerless property’, occur when there is no will – or the beneficiaries of the will cannot be traced - and the next family member, following the rules of intestacy, cannot be found.

The surnames of deceased people in Eastbourne where estates are unclaimed are: Whitehead, Rajput, Allen, Armstrong, Barker, Breslini, Castle, Davies, De Souza, Donovan, Gallagher, Hall, Hertelendy, Horowitz, Ignatowicz, Kanda, Koleszar, Lee-Ying, Lowe, Lucey, McKenna, Megrah, Moon, O'Connor, Pillinger, Pratt, Russell, Ryan, Schulz, Silverthorn and Tippen.

If no relative can be found within 12 years, the dormant estate becomes the property of the Crown, although it is still possible to make a claim if you are legitimately entitled.

If there is no valid will then there is an order of priority as to who can apply to administer the estate, starting with any spouse of the deceased. Entitlement to the estate in these situations is then governed by the rules of intestacy which follow a strict order.

Do you have one of these surnames? Details revealed of more than 30 unclaimed estates of people who have died in Eastbourne