Actress Barbara Windsor will “carry on” coming to Watford if her luck keeps in.

For within the space of a couple of minutes on Tuesday morning she spent - and won back - a pound in the new Borough of Watford “instant” lottery which she officially started.

Miss Windsor was welcomed to Faircross Newsagents near Watford Pond by the owner, Mr George Flemming. He then took her into the shop, where she bought the first ticket from Watford’s Mayor, Councillor Sam Deakin.

Both she and the mayor explained to the many people who crammed into the shop to see the start of the lottery that the proceeds would be used to provide amenities for the borough. People were encouraged to buy – and they did.

The tickets sold like hot cakes and one of the first winners was Mrs Elaine Crivelli, who popped down from her flat above the shop and doubled her money by buying a 25p ticket and winning 50p.

The lottery tickets are at present being sold in 33 shops in Watford, but when the scheme is fully introduced they will be sold in between 50 and 66 different shops all over the borough.

Winners of 50p, £1 and £5 are paid instantly in the shop where they purchased their tickets.

But if you are lucky enough to win either £50, £100 or £500 it has to be collected from the new lottery office at the town hall.

All winning tickets are retained and then included in the £1,000 jackpot draw which is held at the end of each lottery.

[From the Watford Observer of July 7, 1978]

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