India's biggest lottery company is set to challenge Camelot to run Britain's national lottery.

A spokeswoman for the National Lottery Commission (NLC) said Sugal & Damani, a privately-owned conglomerate, announced their interest last week.

Current operator Camelot and Australia's Tattersall's are also in the race for the licence, which will begin in 2009 and last for ten years.

The preferred bidder will be announced next spring.