LUCKY Echo readers will be able to get their hands on £1,500 of unclaimed lottery cash every week as part of an exciting new competition.

Camelot, which runs the National Lottery, has given us a total of £6,000 to dish out to people across south Essex.

The cash will be handed out in four chunks as part of an exciting month-long promotion.

All our readers have to do to be in with a chance of winning is collect three out of five tokens which will be printed in the Echo every week.

When posting their entries off to us they will have to answer a simple question, and submit a code from a lottery ticket bought that week.

Chris Hatton, Echo editor-inchief said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our readers to pick up some extra cash. It could help pay for a welldeserved holiday, go towards a new car, or help people kickstart their Christmas shopping.

“The lottery does an amazing job supporting local charities, and now it’s time for it to make a difference to ordinary people in the community.

“There really is no catch, so I urge all of our readers to get involved. You never know, you could be one of our lucky winners.”

Over the past 20 years, the National Lottery has handed out thousands of grants across Southend, Basildon, Castle Point and Rochford.

Nearly £1million was awarded to a heritage project at Wat Tyler Country Park, in Pitsea and £1.5million was invested in the Prittlewell Priory Museum, in Southend, for its vital redevelopment.

Grants have also gone to Basildon Sporting Village, St Luke's Hospice, Southend Stroke Club, Dial, and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Nadine Carter, Echo promotions and marketing manager, added: “It’s a really exciting promotion and it’s great to be working with Camelot, which gives money to such brilliant causes within the community.

“I look forward to drawing our winning entries.”