YORK residents thinking of forking out £14 in the hope of winning £2.5 million in a Swedish promotion were warned today: don't touch it with a barge pole.

Letters have been sent to householders in the area from Customer Service Network in Malmo, Sweden, telling them how they can win between £250,000 and £2,500,000.

All they have to do is send off a "one-time administrative processing fee of £12 plus £2 for handling."

The letter adds: "Upon receiving a sample of your signature and sworn statement as proof of your identity, we will advise you regarding winning and collection of cash awards in excess of £250,000 to £2,500,000 that you are eligible to participate in."

It asks recipients to confirm their identity and address, and then says: "If you meet this description, the Cash Award Centre has, reserved in a sealed vault, specific number sets for you relating to the collection of funds...from Government-sponsored lotteries for which you are qualified." The lucky winners are urged to reply, giving a declaration that they are a British citizen, and then warned: "Do not disregard this official and urgent notification."

But City of York Council's trading standards manager Liz Levett said today: "I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole when someone is asking me for money up front in this way, especially from abroad."

She said there was always a risk involved in such promotions, and very little chance of getting money back from firms based overseas.

Some of the letters have gone to people who recently received letters from Disbursement Claims of High Wycombe, telling them that they might have won hundreds of pounds in a promotion.

They had to pay up to £6 ringing a premium-rate telephone line to discover their prize. To the knowledge of the Evening Press, everyone who rang the line has discovered that they have won a telephone number for life, along with answerphone and message diverting service.

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