FAIR trade watchdogs have launched an investigation into two organisations offering people in Blackpool a place in a 'guaranteed prize draw'.

Officials from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) have decided to inspect letters from Paddington-based Incentives Unlimited and Express Awards International, in Elland, following an inquiry by The Citizen.

Both firms have been targeting Fylde residents with letters promising a 'worthwhile prize' or 'confirmed cash and prizes in excess of £3,298,000 offered 'free of charge'.

Each letter asks readers to send a cheque, postal order or give their credit card details to pay for a 'processing fee' of up to £9.95.

One bewildered resident said: "One of the prize notifications was set out to look just like a Reader's Digest letter.

"And could easily be mistaken by someone with sight problems as a legitimate competition.

"These people operate on the slightest off-chance that members of the public are gullible enough to fall for their trickery."

But an OFT spokesman said: "We always advise people to think very seriously before replying to one of these supposed guaranteed prize-winning mailshots. But in this case we have never come across either of these organisations before and would strongly urge members of the public to throw these letters away.

"We always take the view that if people really have won something legitimately then they would not be required to pay out to claim it.

"Both Incentives Unlimited and Express Awards International are supposed to be offering a prize to those who have received their letter, but are charging £9.95 and £6.95 for the privilege."

Any Citizen reader who receives an offer from either of these companies, or any other suspect 'prize draw' group is welcome to send a copy of the letter to Lori Hudson, The Citizen, 13/13a Clifton Street, Blackpool, FY1 1JD.