SHOP assistants were getting hot under the collar this week as lotto fever hit the streets once again.

The first week of the National Lottery's new 'Winsday' draw has sparked frenzy among lottery-lovers, who have been queuing to put money on the new mid-week gamble.

At Morrisons Superstore, in High Street, Blackburn, lottery kiosk assistant Marilyn Williams hardly had time to draw breath between asking customers if they wanted "Wednesday or Saturday or both."

"It's been chaotic," she said. "People are mad for the new mid-week draw. I don't know whether it's because it's the first one or if it's just that we've all gone lottery-crazy."

David McKibbin, customer service manager at WH Smith, Blackburn, said that he thought some customers were a bit confused over the new, more complicated, lottery slips.

"I don't know whether they find the slips too complicated or if they're just spoilt for choice," he said.

"We've had a steady flow of customers buying tickets for the Wednesday draw and I predict it will pick up even more next week."

At Asda Stores, in Hyndburn Road, Accrington, the lottery kiosk has been busier than normal and people are finding the new mid-week draw a real temptation. A spokesman said: "It's been very busy today with lots of activity at the lottery kiosk. I think it is a good idea to have two draws because it is making more money for charity and that can only be a good thing."

Edna Collier, part-owner of Priory Convenience Stores, in Priory Drive, Darwen, has been so busy handing out lottery tickets that she had to put her answerphone on.

"We've been mobbed all day by people buying tickets for the Wednesday draw," she said. "The lottery advertisement says that Winsday will never be the same - and they're right!"

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