FRUSTRATED National Lottery players in east Cleveland are repeatedly prevented from having a flutter because computers regularly crash.

Now, Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, hopes to come to their aid by writing to the lottery organisers, Camelot.

The problem happens most Saturdays in Guisborough shops and other outlets in the area. Traders are also losing custom when lottery players go to Redcar or Middlesbrough instead to play the lottery and to do their shopping as well.

Coun Walsh said: "I've been told for more than a month now the lottery computer crashes in this area on Saturdays.

"I understand Guisborough, in particular, has been hit badly every week and this problem affects other local towns, especially when there is high demand to enter a roll-over jackpot.

"It certainly doesn't help local people having a flutter on the lottery and it certainly does mean a loss in trade for shopkeepers if people are driving into Middlesbrough to take their money there instead.''

A Camelot spokeswoman said the problem would be investigated.