MONEY, money, money - people in Worcester love money.

Well, even if people in Worcester didn't love money, how many of them would turn down £30,000?

That's the amount that can be won on the National Lottery's new Daily Play game, which was recently launched by operator Camelot.

It is hoped the game will encourage more people to play because it offers the prospect of winning regular yet smaller cash prizes.

So, what would someone with £30,000 spend it on? A holiday for the family, a new car or paying off the mortgage?

According to a National Opinion Poll (NOP) survey, commissioned by Harrison Cowley, PR firm for Camelot, the top five things people in the West Midlands said they would spend £30,000 on are:

Travel/Holiday - 78 per cent

Invest the money - 61 per cent

Home improvements/DIY - 60 per cent

Pay off debts - 50 per cent

Step up the property ladder - 45 per cent

But what are the options for those who are more economically minded than the shopaholics?

People could invest in the stock market, where share prices are currently low, and gamble that they will rise within the next few years to provide returns that would potentially be higher than the interest rates offered by banks.

Banks may offer lower returns but they do offer the security that the stock market lacks.

"I'd get good independent advice from a local independent financial adviser (IFA)," said Barrie Jeffery, of Trinity House IFA (Worcester) Ltd.

"In the short term the advice would be to pay off any personal loans, credit card balances and maybe pay some or all off of your mortgage."

Mr Jeffery said getting professional investment advice from an IFA would help explore options like ISAs, National Savings, Investment Bonds and Unit Trusts.

"Each one of which can be suited to what you want and what you are happy with," he said.

"It's a tailor-made approach for you at off-the-peg rates.

"We show you how to make your money work for you with the security you want. For example, your £30,000 win could give you £30 a week for the rest of your life, with no tax to be paid on it (as long as you're not a higher rate taxpayer).

"And the £30,000 will still be there for you to use or pass on to your kids, or to pay for them at college, or for a deposit on your first home," he said.

With that in mind the Evening News went out to see what the good folk of Worcester would do with £30,000.

James Downes, of London Road, hopes to be driving soon and said his first purchase would be based on that.

"I would buy a car," said the 16-year-old waiter.

"Probably a BMW.

"I would also get a mortgage on a house, save some of it and go abroad. There are lots of things I would do."

A car is also first on the list for 70-year-old Peter Smart, but he would go for a sturdy British model rather than the engineering efficiency of a German motor.

"Rover need a bit of support so I would go for one of them," said Mr Smart, who is from Beaconhill Drive.

"I would give the rest away to my children."

However, retired production controller Byron John said the thought of winning £30,000 would be quite overwhelming.

"I would faint if I won that amount of money," said the 77-year-old, of Hardwicke Close, St John's.

"I would go on holiday and I'd help my kids out."

Maureen Brown, aged 60, of Hawkwood Crescent, said she has never given much thought to the prospect of winning that much money.

"I suppose I would give some to charity and maybe spend the rest on my home to make it more comfortable," she said.

University College Worcester student, Ann-Marie Kettleborough, said she is quite sensible when it comes to money and would not go wild and spend it all.

"I would buy myself a car for a start and go on holiday and then I would save the rest," said the 20-year-old from Newbury Road, St John's.