Lottery will support families of firefighters killed or injured in line of duty

A new weekly lottery is being launched to help support the families of firefighters killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

Tickets go on sale on Saturday, with the first draw on Bonfire Night.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, which is running the lottery, said: "People might assume that if a firefighter is killed or seriously hurt on the job that their families are automatically taken care of. They would be mistaken.

"There are significant gaps in the support and financial assistance that the families receive. It is heart-breaking stuff to see bereaved people endure even more suffering, and hardship.

"We hope the funds raised from this lottery will go a long way to plug those holes in the system."