The public is to be given a greater say in the way lottery funds are handed to good causes under measures detailed by the government.

Ministers say they want to make sure that lottery awards are "responsive to people's priorities".

Under the National Lotteries Bill, a new body called the "Big Lottery Fund" will be established.

It will operate with simpler rules to make it easier for applicants to access lottery grants.

The new funding body will replace the Community Fund, the New Opportunities Fund and the Millennium Commission.

In future the fund will be forced to "take account of public views in making distribution decisions".