ONE lucky borough resident could win £25,000 just by paying his or her council tax by direct debit.

Ealing is one of 16 London councils which have teamed up with Bacs Payment Schemes, the not-for-profit organisation behind direct debit, to offer council taxpayers a chance to win the prize.

A second prize of £1,000 is also available to Ealing residents.

For a chance of winning either prize, you must register to pay your council tax bill by direct debit before 5pm on Friday, July 11.

Those who already pay by direct debit will be automatically entered into the draw.

Taxpayers using direct debit can arrange to pay their monthly instalments on either the 1st, 8th, 15th or 22nd of each month.

Other councils taking part in the prize draw are Barnet, Brent, City of Westminster, Enfield, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.

Direct debit payments can be set up on Ealing Council’s website www.ealing.gov.uk/directdebit or by calling 020 8825 7050.