SHE'S more commonly associated with the National Lottery, but the country's most famous stargazer has linked up with a local hospice to promote its own version.

Astrologer Mystic Meg is backing East Lancashire Hospice's bid to raise £120,000 a year to provide vital services through its own in-house lottery, which will have a weekly £1,000 jackpot.

The star -- whose real name is Margaret Anne Lake and who once lived in a terrace house in Russia Street, Accrington -- will be there at the big launch day at Blackburn Town Hall next Thursday .

And there will be other stars in attendance as the lottery is launched in Accrington on January 17 and in the Ribble Valley on January 20.

Lottery manager Harry Grayson said the launches would be very high profile and also be attended by civic dignitaries, trustees and other prominent citizens.

Local brewing giants Thwaites have pledged their continuing support by offering their famous shire horse dray carriage as transport for the launch parties.

Mr Grayson said: "I am delighted to have secured the support of the celebrities, local councils and Thwaites to really make the launches spectacular affairs this will assist us to raise awareness of the Hospice and the Lottery.

"We have set ourselves a target of 2,300 members by the first draw and 7,000 by the end of the year."

Anyone aged over 16 can take part in the lottery, giving them the chance of winning big money prizes and also contributing to the hospice through a regular payment.

More than 65,000 leaflets will be distributed throughout the boroughs in public buildings, town halls, hospitals, doctors surgeries and leisure centres, which will explain how to join, what preferred methods of payments and the set prize fund that is on offer every week.

At the Blackburn with Darwen launch, Mystic Meg, the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn and the Hospice Chairman Geoffrey Braithwaite, will be collected from Thwaites HQ in Penny Street by the carriage and then proceed through the town centre on the way to the official launch.

At the Hyndburn launch, the special guest will be a Blackburn Rovers star -- yet to be named -- and along with civic dignitaries, they will leave the Asda Store in Hyndburn Road, Accrington, and head for the Town Hall.

Ex-Coronation Street star Naomi Radcliffe, who played Alison Webster, is a special guest at the Ribble Valley launch.

Naomi, along with the Ribble Valley Mayor and Mayoress and Mr Braithwaite, will leave the Posthouse Hotel in King Street, Clitheroe and travel through the streets up to the Ribble Valley council offices for the official opening.

The hospice provides specialised care for people and their families from within the Blackburn and Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley communities who are suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Since refurbishment in 2000, it can now provide 10 individual in-patients rooms, increased day therapy places from 25 a week to 100, complimentary therapies, physiotherapy, out patients' clinics and other services.

All official openings are scheduled for 11.30am at the respected venues.

On Friday, January 17, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, there will be an open day at the hospice on Park Lee Road, Blackburn, for people to go along and look at the services the hospice has to offer.

Anyone wishing to join the Lottery, help with collections or canvasses at work or in their area can do so by contacting Harry Grayson or Ann Hindle on 01254 660900.