Christmas lottery tickets printed

The pan-island lottery was formed in 1975

Thousands of Christmas charity lottery tickets have been printed and are now being distributed throughout the Channel Islands.

Tickets will go on sale on Thursday at outlets in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark and the draw will be made on 16 December.

A new type of ticket means players can win a smaller prize as well as having a chance to win the jackpot.

There is a top prize of £150,000, but agents say that figure could double.

The Channel Island Lottery was formed in 1975 and the jackpot last year paid out more than £280,000 to the lucky ticket holder.

Nearly £80,000 was raised for Bailiwick charities in the 2003 Christmas lottery and in Jersey £209,576 was donated to charity.