ONCE again, the pious, hypocritical, patronising church sticks its unwanted nose into millions of people's business.

What right have these interfering busybodies got to tell me it is wrong to play the National Lottery or that the jackpot should be capped?

I play the lottery purely and simply to win the jackpot. I want it to change my life. If I mess is up, that's my problem.

Unfortunately, for the church, they can see fierce competition for their flock's money - the fear being it will go on lottery tickets instead of into their begging bowls.

Preach your pious cants to your flocks and if they listen, all well and good. Stick to what you do best - singing hymns and collecting money.

Leave the lottery to the people who play it and enjoy it: Try having a life while you're alive, not "hoping" for one when you're dead.

TERRY MOORBY, Brecon Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.