SCHOOL children are spending an amazing £20 every week on lottery scratch cards, a worried councillor claims. A survey carried out by watchdogs OFLOT reveals 16 per cent of all children under16 buy scratch cards regularly, with 24 per cent stealing from parents to feed their habit.

And local councillor Bill Goldsmith fears if changes are not made soon the craze could get even worse - with children going to any lengths - including child prostitution - to get cash to buy cards.

It is unlawful for anybody under 16 to buy lotto tickets and OFLOT - the Office of the National Lottery - is calling on lottery organisers Camelot to introduce a helpline to aid young addicts.

And Coun Goldsmith says action is needed sooner rather than later.

The ward councillor for St Oswalds, in Knuzden, is also wants Camelot to clamp down on retailers selling cards to juveniles.

He said: "It's a problem and I've spoken to lots of teachers and parents about it. Some children told me about fellow pupils who spend up to £20 a week on scratch cards.

"There is obviously a need for a hotline to cope with the problem, which is not being helped by retailers who continually sell cards to under age customers."

Mr Goldsmith, who has worked closely on the effects gambling has on children, now fears scratch card fever could take over from the lure of the amusement arcade.

He said: "Five years ago, I helped carry out an in-depth survey for the National Housing and Town Planning Council into the effects amusement arcades have on children and the results were staggering. It seemed children would go to any lengths to get money for fruit machines. There was even one tale of a youngster turning to prostitution.

"I fear this could happen again if we don't act now."

OFLOT's director general Peter Davis said the latest figures showed a decline in the numbers of youngsters buying cards.

He said: "I welcome the improving trend. However, the fact that some children are becoming regular scratchcards buyers is disturbing. He promised to outlaw retailers selling to juniors with the help of responsible parents and vigilant members of public. Alison Howard, senior PR executive at Camelot said the company plans to introduce a hotline to help youngsters and give the public the chance to report retailers who sell cards illegally.

She said: "We are pleased to see the number of children using scratch cards has dropped. Stopping children has been a high priority for us and it is good to see that the time and resources invested in this area are having an effect."

She added: "We have been working with OFLOT and our retailers and very much hope the results announced will help further reduce the number of children playing.

"We would also urge parents and adults to behave responsibly. A worrying aspect to the report is that well over half the lottery tickets bought for children are by adults. This is obviously irresponsible and something difficult if not impossible for retailers to stop happening."

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