Olympics tickets in Lottery game

Sports fans who missed out on Olympic tickets are being given a second chance thanks to a new Lottery game.

More than 3.5 million tickets have been sold for the 2012 London games but millions of people have been left empty-handed.

Now National Lottery players are being offered the chance to get their hands on official tickets by playing a new instant win online game, Win Gold. The odds of winning a prize on the £1 game are 1 in 3.45.

A National Lottery spokesman said: "We're thrilled that we can offer players the amazing chance to win tickets to see a whole range of London 2012 events. For just £1, Brits could win a pair of Olympic tickets worth up to £590 to see the world's top sportsmen and women in action.

"Every time they play, National Lottery players help to raise the money needed to stage next year's Games."

Pairs of tickets can be won to see a number of 2012 events - including athletics, football, swimming and track cycling - as well as the chance to be at the opening and closing ceremonies.

There are also cash prizes on offer, including a top prize of £10,000.

National Lottery funding is contributing up to £2.2 billion towards the cost of London 2012, of which £750 million will come from lottery games such as Win Gold.

Win Gold is available to all players who have an online National Lottery account and can be played at www.national-lottery.co.uk

PA