A unique calendar which doubles as a lottery is being sold to make money for Swindon charities.

North Swindon Lions Club has now published its lottery calendar for 2001, and buyers have a chance to win a cash prize every working day of next year for the total sum of £4.80.

This is the third year running the club has produced a calendar, which is believed to be the only type of its kind in the country.

Each of the 1,000 calendars is given a special number, and owners have the chance to win prizes from £5 to £100 during a weekly draw.

Lions member Tony Jarvis said: "Normally when people go to a shop and buy a calendar, all they get is a calendar. But with this one you can take part in our lottery as well and stand an extremely good chance of winning a cheque.

"All the proceeds go to local charities and the calendars make a very good Christmas gifts for people of any age."

In the past the profits have helped organisations such as the Prospect Hospice, local branches of cancer charities, North Swindon Social Care Fund and Princess Margaret Hospital.

Like the previous two years, the winning numbers will be drawn weekly at Bevirs Solici-tors in Regent Circus, and published in the Evening Advertiser every Saturday.

Whoever has the winning number for the first working day of the month will receive £100. Those on each other working day will get £5.

This year the photographs on the calendar have come from Swindon Photographic Society.

Each month has a different colour picture featuring animals, people and landscapes, such as Stonehenge and Holy Island.

Malcolm Cole, secretary for the society, said it was a wonderful chance for members to have their work published in colour.

"The Lions Club approached us and asked if we would be able to supply colour photographs.

"We happened to have all of the photographs from our annual exhibition on compact disc which was easy to print from, so Tony took that and the calendar was ready in a matter of days," said Mr Cole.

Profits from the calendar usually come to around £2,000, and are boosted by local companies which pay to advertise in it.

Calendars are £4.80 and can be bought from reception of the Advertiser at 100 Victoria Road, Old Town, or Bevirs Solicitors at 36 Regent Circus.

Alternatively phone Tony Jarvis on 01672 540053 to place an order.