Branson confident he'll win the big prize

What it takes - Sir Richard Branson is confident

In the cold light of day, the champagne's lost some of its fizz.

Sir Richard Branson's team is faced with the small matter of doing something that, so far, they've not quite been able to: convincing the Lottery Commission they should run the national lottery.

Sir Richard himself has now overcome the embarrassment of his being stranded in the Virgin Islands on the day the announcement was made. And he's confident he'll be able to satisfy the commission.

Row

There's a political row, though, over the bidding process itself. The Tories are claiming the Government's swift welcome for yesterday's announcement that there was no outright winner shows they're too close to the decision making.

Michael Ancram - Govt too close

The Party Chairman, Michael Ancram, has issued a list of seven questions: from the implications for Government if both bids eventually fail - to the financial implications for shops and post offices if they have to change their terminals

The Culture Media and Sport Secretary Chris Smith has yet to respond in person to the charges - but he issued a statement insisting that the decision was taken solely by the Commission - and that its chairwoman, Dame Helena Shovelton, made that clear yesterday.

Shopkeepers' Saviour

Among Mr Ancram's charges is one that small shopkeepers stand to loose in any change of lottery operator.

But Roy Turnbull, a past national president of the National Federation of Newsagents, disagreed.

Lottery - the saviour of corner shops

He said that he expected the modern technology involved would mean a smooth changeover. He went on to say that the lottery had been the saviour of many corner shops - and that shopkeepers had recently voted Camelot one of the best suppliers.

Sir Richard, then, has a lot to live up to - not only satisfying the demands of the Lottery Commission: but also producing a new image for the lottery and helping support thousands of small businesses throughout Britain.

Why the bids failed

The Lottery Commission

Camelot

Virgin

The National Lottery