A NEW lottery pitched as a fairer alternative to the National Lottery will be launched in the UK.

Organisers say a greater proportion of money raised will be donated to charity.

One of the 70 good causes to benefit will be the cancer research trust named after Scholes- born entertainer, the late Roy Castle.

The new lottery, called "monday - the Charities Lottery", will operate online and by phone to get round gambling laws. Tickets cost £1 each, of which 30p goes directly to the player's chosen charity.

Its organisers Chariot (UK) plc, a company chaired by former Camelot boss Tim Holley, say the chances of winning are 27 times higher than with the National Lottery. But the jackpot is smaller at £100,000.

The newcomers say they want to help smaller charities overlooked by the National Lottery.

Paul Gauntlett, of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation - one of the beneficiaries - said his charity had been turned down twice in the past 10 years for National Lottery funding. It was awarded £150,000 last month after a third attempt.

"I would encourage people who want to support charities to support it," he said.

The first draw will be on Monday, May 8 at 8pm and at the same time every Monday thereafter.

Tickets will be sold to over 18s online at www. playmonday.com, by postal subscription and by direct debit.