THE Lottery has benefited many people since its inauguration, none more so than the outright winners.

To get six numbers correct is a 14,000,000 to one chance. Good luck to these people. But consider the many thousands who have three or four numbers right and the winnings pale into insignificance. For three, its a paltry £10; for four or five maybe £50-70.

I think the amounts paid should be revamped, with more going to the smaller winners.

To get three correct is against awfully long odds but three correctly selected in a local betting shop 49s Draw would win you £512 for a £1 stake.

At the end of the day, it's just luck. The odds seem to favour the local bookie.

K SOWERBUTTS (Mr), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.