THREE lucky winners in the first Somerset West Lottery scooped £25 each – and helped local good causes at the same time.

The community lottery has been jointly set up by Taunton Deane Borough and West Somerset Councils and the first draw was held last Saturday (July 29).

In all there were 34 winners, with three gaining the cash prizes and the rest matching two numbers and gaining three extra tickets.

Players came from the two council areas and further afield, including from Shropshire.

The lottery is open to anyone aged over 16 to raise money for charities and local good causes in Taunton Deane and West Somerset.

Find out more and register here.

Players can choose which cause they want to support. It's free for local good causes to register for the Somerset West Lottery.

It costs £1 per game to play and players could win up to £25,000 as part of the weekly draw.

Those without internet access can call 0300-3020666 to buy a ticket. Calls cost the same as dialling a landline number.

A total of 60 per cent of the money raised through the games will go to local good causes.

The rest of the money will go towards prizes, an external lottery manager who will run the game and VAT.

Players can set up a monthly payment in advance with the option to do a three, six or 12 month repeating subscription by direct debit or payment card.

Winners will be informed via e-mail and will have the money transferred automatically to their chosen bank account.