Sandy Lane residents will still have the chance to be millionaires after National Lottery facilities at their local post office were saved.

A campaign was mounted after it was revealed that the post office in Cottingley Road could have its lottery terminal withdrawn because of poor ticket sales.

But residents were celebrating after hearing that they will be able to continue buying tickets after a reprieve by Post Office Counters.

Campaigners were worried that if the lottery was taken away, it would affect the future survival of the whole post office.

Residents were encouraged to use the lottery or face losing it and posters and leaflets were put up round the village.

Heaton councillor Stanley King said that residents were delighted they could continue having a flutter on the lottery.

"It's excellent news and it doesn't just safeguard the future of the lottery but the post office as well," he said.

"Our main fear was that business would suffer terribly if the National Lottery was withdrawn.

"The post office is a valuable asset to the community and many people, especially the elderly, rely on it.

"I believe that lottery sales at the post office have improved and that the support of local people has also been taken into account."

A spokesman for Post Office Counters told the Telegraph & Argus: "When making the decision we have taken a variety of areas into account.

"These also included the fact that there had been an improvement in sales and local trading circumstances.

"After a three-month review, we are pleased to say that Sandy Lane Post Office will be keeping its lottery terminal."

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