A GROUP of 20 Westhoughton pensioners are the latest to give the thumbs down to the National Lottery -- and the thumbs up to Bolton Hospice Lottery.

Brenda Rideout, secretary of the Westhoughton OAP's Assocation, said: "We've been doing the National Lottery for nearly three years now and have won the odd £10.

"We all feel that by doing the Hospice Lottery we stand a much better chance of winning, and it's for such a good cause.

"We've decided to have 20 numbers every week and if we win we'll share the money between us."

The latest "recruits" delighted Hospice Lottery manager Louise Ashworth.

"Lots of people have been telling us the same thing since we launched," she said. "We find that many people cannot identify with National Lottery wins because the odds are so low, or they are unhappy at how the money has been distributed. With our lottery, they can see that all profits will go to the hospice to be spent on patient care and facilities."

It costs £1.3 million a year to run the hospice off Chorley New Road, a sum recently enlarged by the opening of the Day Hospice.

The hospice relies on voluntary donations to keep going and has been pleased with the response so far to their lottery, which starts on Friday, September 21.

Each week there will be a top prize of £1,000, a second prize of £200, a third of £50 and 25 further £10 prizes.

Anyone wanting to join the lottery can send a cheque or postal order for £5 (made payable to Bolton Hospice Lottery Ltd) along with their name and address to: Bolton Hospice Lottery, FREEPOST NWW5884A, Bolton BL1 4ZZ, to cover the five draws at £1 an entry.

Players must be aged 16 or over. The Lottery Office can be contacted on 01204 383467.