BBC Correspondent Rachel Ellison: Lucrative despite being dogged by controversy

Hundreds of grants have been given out to children's projects, training schemes for the homeless and for work with older people or the disabled.

But in the four years since the lottery was launched there has been controversy.

Just the ticket for old people's groups

Only 4.7p from every pound spent on Lottery tickets goes to the National Lottery Charities Board.

And charities claim that donations have gone down because people are buying lottery tickets instead.

Collections in churches are also said to be suffering.

Children have benefited from the lottery

However, it will be all smiles on Tuesday when Culture Secretary Chris Smith sees the handover of £359,063 by the Charities Board to the Children's Discovery Centre in east London.

The centre was set up last year and the grant will help create what is described as an "innovative and exciting" new interactive learning centre for young children, their families and carers.

Social Affairs Correspondent Rachel Ellison: Charities claim donations are down

Peter Eatherley, the centre's development manager, said: "This project will make a real contribution to the literacy and educational achievements of the children of east London."

The centre's aim is to "expand the horizons" of local children through stimulating and educational hand-on exhibits, workshops and play projects.

Chris Smith: "Significant landmark"

Mr Smith said the award was a "significant landmark" for the Charities Board.

He said: "The government wants to see the lottery offering something for everyone and I congratulate the Charities Board on its efforts to ensure that money goes across the country to organisations in greatest need."

Here are some of the National Lottery's headline-making grants on the way to hitting £1bn: