Your igniter may well be a Piezo Electric device... a spring loaded hammer strikes a crystal and the crystal generates a high voltage which causes a spark. They sometimes break down mechanically and the hammer no longer hits the crystal. You can sometimes repair them (rarely) and sometimes buy a replacement unit.
Hand held Piezo ignighters for gas cookers are inexpensive (£3 - £5) and easier than matches. Amazon have several on offer up to £12
Peccavi
March 2010