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| Premium Bonds celebrate 50 years | Premium Bonds celebrate 50 years |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| National Savings and Investments is marking the 50th anniversary of Premium Bonds - which pay no interest but are eligible for cash prizes of up to £1m. | National Savings and Investments is marking the 50th anniversary of Premium Bonds - which pay no interest but are eligible for cash prizes of up to £1m. |
| When the bonds were introduced in 1956 - along with number selector Ernie - the top prize was £1,000. Since then, £9bn worth of prizes have been issued. | |
| Today, an estimated 23m Britons own Premium Bonds. | Today, an estimated 23m Britons own Premium Bonds. |
| In the past five years, sales have reached record levels, boosted by a £1m jackpot and easier purchase methods. | In the past five years, sales have reached record levels, boosted by a £1m jackpot and easier purchase methods. |
| The original Ernie (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) took up 24 square feet of floor space. | The original Ernie (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) took up 24 square feet of floor space. |
| In 1956 the first Ernie took up 24 square feet of floor | In 1956 the first Ernie took up 24 square feet of floor |
| Ernie 4, launched in 2004, is the size of a DVD player and can generate numbers at the rate of over one million per hour. This year it will award approximately £900m in prizes from £50 to £1m. | Ernie 4, launched in 2004, is the size of a DVD player and can generate numbers at the rate of over one million per hour. This year it will award approximately £900m in prizes from £50 to £1m. |
| Ernie is not a computer; it uses thermal noise - changes in the voltage and heat given off by transistors - to choose random numbers. | Ernie is not a computer; it uses thermal noise - changes in the voltage and heat given off by transistors - to choose random numbers. |
| According to NS&I figures, more bonds have been sold in the last five years than in the previous 45 put together. | According to NS&I figures, more bonds have been sold in the last five years than in the previous 45 put together. |
| "Five years ago you could only buy bonds by post or at the post office," National Savings and Investments spokesman Mark Brooks told BBC News. | "Five years ago you could only buy bonds by post or at the post office," National Savings and Investments spokesman Mark Brooks told BBC News. |
| "Today, you can buy them over the phone, by standing order - even at some supermarkets. | "Today, you can buy them over the phone, by standing order - even at some supermarkets. |
| The latest Ernie - the fourth - is the size of a DVD player | The latest Ernie - the fourth - is the size of a DVD player |
| "Easier methods of purchase, combined with the £1m jackpot, mean the Premium Bonds system has been dragged into the 21st Century." | "Easier methods of purchase, combined with the £1m jackpot, mean the Premium Bonds system has been dragged into the 21st Century." |
| Justin Modray, investment adviser at Bestinvest, put the recent upward trend down to a number of factors. | Justin Modray, investment adviser at Bestinvest, put the recent upward trend down to a number of factors. |
| He said: "The biggest reason is that, between 2000 and 2003/04, stock market volatility led investors to run for the hills and Premium Bonds were seen as attractive. There was still risk or gamble but the stakes were safe. | He said: "The biggest reason is that, between 2000 and 2003/04, stock market volatility led investors to run for the hills and Premium Bonds were seen as attractive. There was still risk or gamble but the stakes were safe. |
| "Secondly, National Savings did a lot of marketing with Alan Sugar, creating more demand. | "Secondly, National Savings did a lot of marketing with Alan Sugar, creating more demand. |
| CHANGED ODDS* February 1993: 11,000-1May 1997: 23,066-1Mar 2002 - Feb 2003: 28,500-1Oct 2006 24,000-1 Odds for winning any amount. Source: National Savings & Investments. Are premium bonds worth it? | CHANGED ODDS* February 1993: 11,000-1May 1997: 23,066-1Mar 2002 - Feb 2003: 28,500-1Oct 2006 24,000-1 Odds for winning any amount. Source: National Savings & Investments. Are premium bonds worth it? |
| "Finally, we are a nation of gamblers and Premium Bonds appeal to people's gambling nature. It is a safe way to have a flutter." | "Finally, we are a nation of gamblers and Premium Bonds appeal to people's gambling nature. It is a safe way to have a flutter." |
| Mark Brooks, spokesman for NS&I, said: "The recent growth has been fuelled by stock market fluctuations and the relatively low rate of interest available and bonuses boosting rates only for the short term, on mainstream savings accounts. | Mark Brooks, spokesman for NS&I, said: "The recent growth has been fuelled by stock market fluctuations and the relatively low rate of interest available and bonuses boosting rates only for the short term, on mainstream savings accounts. |
| "It has meant that investors have been looking for a safe home for some of their money, and Premium Bonds still offer the same tagline of 'savings with a thrill' as they did in 1956." | "It has meant that investors have been looking for a safe home for some of their money, and Premium Bonds still offer the same tagline of 'savings with a thrill' as they did in 1956." |