The National Lottery headquarters could move to Oxfordshire if Sir Richard Branson's bid is successful, writes Karen Rosine.

The bids for the lottery franchise were submitted this week and the new lottery operator will be announced in June.

Sir Richard, who lives in Kidlington, is behind a bid for what he calls the People's Lottery.

A spokesman for the People's Lottery said: "We have been looking at three properties in the Abingdon area for our headquarters. The sites are being looked at as options if the bid is successful, but nothing has been decided yet."

Prime contenders in the six-horse race are the existing operator, Camelot, and the People's Lottery.

Millionaire Sir Richard, who criticised the handling of the last selection process, has assembled an army of suppliers and advisers including Microsoft, Kellogg's and AWI, the US lottery operator.

Story date: Thursday 02 March

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