UNLUCKY lottery fans hoping to get some winning advice from a new premium rate telephone line were today told to question the value of the £1-a-minute information before they ring.

Blackburn with Darwen Council trading standards officer Chris Allen spoke out after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph received a fax from a company offering callers the chance to improve their chances of winning the National Lottery.

The message, targeted specifically to organisers of lottery syndicates, asks: "Did you know that you or your syndicate can improve your chances of winning the National Lottery?

"I've discovered that certain number combinations have produced hardly any winners and I'll tell you the reason why and how you can avoid those losing combinations.

"I can also suggest methods for choosing number combinations that are more likely to win the bigger prizes."

It continues: "To find out my lottery secrets, all you have to do is pick up the telephone and listen to my recorded message. I'm certain you will be impressed, so please call now and listen carefully." But the £1-a-minute advice for callers includes basic information like the number of balls used in the twice weekly draw and how many are odd and even numbers.

Mr Allen, warning people to think before they called, said: "It is obvious to me that the information included on these premium rate lines is not worth the money they are charging you for calling.

"They are not against the law, but people should be aware of the charges, the length of the call and just how much it will cost.

"Much of the information included on such lines is obvious. I would hold back from saying they are a con, but they do string you along and callers should question the value of the information they're getting for their money."

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