LUCKY winners can live a lotto this Christmas if they win a Santa-size sack full of cash courtesy of Calne Town Council.

Initial plans to hold a local lottery in the town to raise funds for the town's Christmas lights event in December, have been approved.

Councillors hope to offer people a cash prize of up to £2,500 as an incentive to take part.

Businesses help sponsor the lights event and the town council has funded the main attraction for the past two years, including Cinderella's coach in 2002 and the reindeer in 2003.

It is one of the most popular events and is strongly supported by local people.

Councillors believe residents will support the lottery if they know the proceeds will be used to fund the evening.

Council community development officer Mark Wilkins, said: "I think it's the first time we have done something like this in Calne.

"The lighting event is popular with the community, but it is expensive to run.

"We have so many ideas but we can't afford to fund them all.

"Everyone likes a flutter and I think if people know the proceeds are going into the local community they're likely to have a go and hopefully we'll pick up a few people disillusioned with the National Lottery."

Town councils are able to raise cash through lotteries for any activities within their authorised powers.

If the ticket sales value is less than £20,000 the council can pay North Wiltshire District Council £35 to register the lottery.

Mr Wilkins said he is confident that if the lottery is carefully designed and marketed it could bring in considerable income to the event.

He added that if it is successfully trialled it could set a precedent for further lotteries to raise money for events in the town.

Paul Atkinson, the chairman of the town council's planning and economic regeneration committee said: "This is a chance for the town itself to contribute towards the Christmas event."

The council's planning and economic regeneration committee agree that Mr Wilkins should research the project further.