A NEW lottery will raise funds for good causes across South Oxfordshire – and will be run by a council.

South Oxfordshire District Council said it hopes to launch the lottery in the spring and inviting good causes to register as possible beneficiaries.

The lottery gives residents the chance to enter a £1 weekly online draw.

Prizes will range from free prize draw tickets to prizes from a £25,000 kitty.

From every £1 ticket bought, 60p of that will go towards good causes and the community.

Players will be able to choose which cause they support when they buy their tickets.

The council will not receive any proceeds from the lottery and is currently in the process of securing a licence for it.

A launch for the lottery will be held at the Cornerstone in Didcot on February 28 from 2pm.

Councillor Elizabeth Gillespie, cabinet member with responsibility for the lottery, said: “This is a really brilliant opportunity for good causes in South Oxfordshire and I’d like to encourage as many community, voluntary and charitable organisations to get signed up.

"The lottery will be all about raising funds within the community, for the community, and we hope everyone will get involved.”

For more information email the council on policy.partnerships@southandvale.gov.uk or call 01235 422168.