HOSPICE bosses have urged their supporters in East Lancashire to boycott the newly-launched Health Lottery.

Fundraisers at East Lancashire and Pendleside Hospices fear the new national draw will eat into the profits of their own lotteries.

More than £600,000 is generated to provide vital care services for local patients by the Blackburn and Reedley hospices’ draws.

And hospice supporters say there is no guarantee that any of the Health Lottery’s handouts will end up benefiting East Lancashire residents.

Sharon Crymble, East Lancashire Hospice’s fundraising manager, said: “Only 20 pence in the pound will be donated to health charities from the new lottery. We know that a far larger percentage of donations from our lottery will go towards helping East Lancashire people.”

Elsewhere. Pendleside’s lottery earns the Colne Road hospice more than £320,000 per year — and pays for the care of one in 10 of its patients.

John Calvert, their lottery manager, said: “Our weekly hospice lottery is an essential source of income to provide our free specialist care services.

“We are extremely concerned that the new Health Lottery could divert sign-ificant amounts of money away from local hospice care, which is the last thing we need in this already difficult economic climate.”

Mr Calvert said between 60 and 70p per pound was directed towards hospice care from the proceeds of Pendleside’s draw.

The Health Lottery, run by media mogul Richard Desmond, owner of Channel 5 and several national newspapers, is offering a £100,000 first prize.

Officials were unavailable for comment.