A LOTTO CASH FOR VILLAGES

TRADITIONAL British village halls are in line for a pounds 50 million-a-year Lotto hand-out.

The move follows controversy over massive Lottery payments to causes like the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns, which funds asylum seekers. It received pounds 340,000.

British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell wants to ensure that cash goes to more popular targets.

The village hall scheme is backed by MPs from all parties who fear a reduction in Lottery income combined with the legal requirement to install disabled facilities is threatening the existence of community centres.

Under rules laid down when the Lottery started in 1995, the government could not have prevented the grant to the NCADC.

But under a new programme to "democratise" the giving of grants, Ms Jowell wants give local people a greater say.

Of every pounds 1 Lottery ticket, 28p is given to charities, heritage, arts, sport and health and education.

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