Northumberland County Council has launched an opportunity for good causes to benefit from the new Northumberland Lottery.

The lottery, expected to go live later this year, will see 60 per cent of ticket sales given to charities, voluntary organisations and other good causes in the local area.

Players will also be in with a chance of winning a £25,000 jackpot.

Coun. Nick Oliver, cabinet member for corporate services, said: “This is a really exciting moment, because it’s all about charities, the voluntary sector and not-for-profit organisations, and trying to support communities across Northumberland.

“I encourage people who run good causes in the county to sign up.”

A number of good causes have already joined the scheme, including the North East Youth Project, which provides youth sessions across Northumberland, and Glendale Connect, which organises a range of community activities in the Wooler area.

Jon Niblo, chief executive of North East Youth Project, said: “We were keen to support the lottery not only for the benefits it can bring to us as a charity and our work in Northumberland, but also for the benefit it will bring to the county as a whole”.

Jane Pannell, from Glendale Connect, said: “For small charities, like us, getting further funding this way is going to make a big difference.

“We can’t wait for the lottery to start and we’d encourage other local good causes to sign up. All you have to do is commit to spreading the word about your own lottery page.”

A series of roadshow events will be held across the county, including a drop-in service at Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham, on March 19 from 1pm.

Good causes are invited to find out more and sign up at www.northumberlandlottery.co.uk.