The Margin had the misfortune to come across a novel way of whipping up business recently when the latest Golden Pages was delivered, courtesy of Eircom.

Free with the bulky tome was a Lotto-type card which was scratched in the hope that an early retirement was beckoning. When the relevant bits were scratched, all hope was not dashed. A phone number had to be called to check whether a code on the card would entitle The Margin to unearned riches.

The message on the line had to be heard in its entirety - but the luck was all Eircom's. When the bill arrived, it revealed the premium number called had clocked a £9 charge. Amazing, isn't it, that some people might still take a flutter on anything connected with Eircom?