Channel Islands lottery top prize is highest ever

The first prize in the 2010 Channel Islands Christmas Lottery has reached its highest ever, standing at £750,000.

Last year's £651,000 prize was the previous highest top prize since 1975, when Guernsey and Jersey's draws were merged.

Organisers said the total followed record ticket sales ahead of the draw on 16 December.

For every 5,000 £1 tickets sold the first prize rises by £1,500. Some of the money is donated to charities.

David Farrimond, chairman of the Association of Guernsey Charities, said: "It certainly is going to be a very Merry Christmas for the lucky winners.

"This is also the best news possible for the many well deserving charitable organisations in Guernsey, as it means we will be in a great position to allocate more money to them."

Of the 2.2m tickets printed in 2010, a rise of 15% on last year, 880,000 were issued to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.