VALE of Glamorgan MP John Smith has helped Ty Hafan, The Children's Hospice in Wales, Sully, fight changes in the law which threatened its highly successful lottery.

Ty Hafan's lottery contributes more than £1 million per year of the £2.5 million operating costs of the children's hospice in Sully.

Under the proposals of the Gambling Act, each year a £2,400 charge would have been slapped on most UK hospice lotteries for taking lottery subscriptions over the phone and via websites.

Ty Hafan lottery manager Garth Caswell turned to John Smith MP for help.

Mr Smith said: "I was deeply concerned when Garth Caswell briefed me on the impact these proposals would have on vital funding for the children's hospice.

"I was only too happy to help. I took up Ty Hafan's case with the government minister, Richard Caborn MP. I am delighted that common sense has prevailed."

The Gambling Commission within weeks reviewed its proposals and have agreed to reduce the licensing fees from £2,400 to £350 per year.

Garth Caswell said: "This is a tremendous result. All hospice lotteries in the UK, including Ty Hafan, can breath a massive sigh of relief.

"We can continue to pass on to our families and children the maximum amount available from our lotteries. To have to pay such increased costs for no extra income would have been a disaster. All of us at Ty Hafan, and all hospice lotteries, would like to record our tremendous thanks to John Smith for his help."