Southside shoppers receive lotto cheer

Security cameras at Browns in Cardonald captured the flash mob pouncing on lottery players as a big thank you for helping to fund National Lottery projects over the last 20 years.

Taking part in the flash mob were lottery-funded projects from around the city, including Samba Ya Bamba, the West End Festival, Haldanes Youth Services, Mischief La Bas, Scottish Youth Theatre and the Commonwealth Youth Circus.

And following close behind was television and stage star John Barrowman, who presented the lucky customers with flowers and explained the reasoning behind the noisy crowd — and just where their lottery money has been going to.

The spectacle shocked and surprised more than a few southsiders, including Mary Anne McMillan (82), who said: “You don’t expect a samba band to start playing when you’re buying your lottery ticket.

“I’ve been playing for years but I didn’t know my money went to such brilliant causes.”

National Lottery spokeswoman Vicki Kennedy explained: “The lottery made its first draw 20 years ago this year, and every week now raises over £33 million for projects acround the UK.

“This was a chance for just a few of them to thank National Lottery players for making what we do possible.”

Shop owner Michael Brown said: “The Lotto Cheer morning was the most fun our shop has ever known.

“Our customers have never seen anything like it -they’re still talking about it.”