GOOD causes in Taunton Deane and West Somerset could be given a boost if a new scheme gets underway. 

Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council are hoping to set up a local lottery across both areas with prizes up to £25,000 available every week.

If agreed, it could be introduced in spring 2017.

Similar schemes are running in other parts of the country as authorities look for new ways to support their communities at a time when the public purse is being squeezed.

Cllr Jane Warmington, portfolio holder for Communities, at Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: “Thriving voluntary and community groups are incredibly important and we want to help them as much as we can.

"Setting up a local lottery is another way the Council can do this to support the dozens of good causes we are lucky enough to have across our area. They are a wonderful lifeline for lots of people and give many of us the opportunity to play a greater part in community life as volunteers.

"A local lottery could benefit us all.”

The lottery would be open to everyone over the age of 16 years with 60 per cent of every £1 ticket being bought going to local good causes.

People wanting to play will be able to set up a monthly payment in advance for the weekly lottery, with an option to do a three, six or 12 month non-recurring payment, which is equivalent to £13, £26 or £52.

Players will be able to set this up on-line either by direct debit or payment card.

Good causes would contact the council to be listed and would be included after checks were made and would receive any funds raised paid directly every month.

For every £1 ticket sold, 60p would go to good causes, 20p would go to the prize pot and 20p towards running costs of an External Lottery Manager.

Taunton Deane would be the sixth council to start hosting a local lottery.

Other lotteries include Aylesbury, where the Vale Lottery is now raising over £65,000 for local good causes, Portsmouth are also live.

Councils from Melton Mowbray, Mendip, and Gloucester City are also in the process of establishing their local lotteries too.