ORGANISERS of a community lottery are expanding - and Barrow is next on its list.

Following the growing success of the Combe Community Lottery, organisers Karen Pattinson and Jenny Brumby, both Millom residents, are now expanding into the Copeland area, with further plans at expanding into Barrow later this year.

Eleven months ago the Combe Community Lottery was launched as way to help support community groups struggling for funds and to give residents a greater chance of winning what can be for some a “life-changing” amount of money.

Since starting, jackpot winners have received £25,000 and another £8,000 has been given to local charities and other constituted groups.

Mrs Brumby said: “Karen Pattinson had the idea of a local community lottery because Millom and the surrounding areas are under funded.

“We thought it was going to be a really slow burner, but 11 months on it’s absolutely huge in the area.

“For our jackpot on the first of January we gave over £3,500 to one jackpot winner and £1,300 to a local charity, so it’s just growing and growing.”

After their success they have now set up another lottery called Copeland Coastal Community Lottery covering the area from Ravenglass right up to Distington and the first live draw is on facebook on January 20.

The Combe Community Lottery covers the areas from Waberthwaite to Broughton.

Anyone within the UK can take part in the lottery, but only groups and charities that are registered within the catchment area can apply to be one of their beneficiaries.

Tickets cost £2 and can be purchased online at either combecommunitylottery.co.uk for the Combe Community Lottery and copelandcoastalcommunitylottery.co.uk for the Copeland Coastal Community Lottery. Tickets can also be bought from The Paper Shop in Millom.