Cheers of joy swept through Hounslow's gaming halls in celebration of the reduced tax burden on bingo clubs announced in Chancellor George Osborne's 2014 Budget.

The welcome surprise saw bingo duty slashed in half from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, five per cent more than club mangers, players and MPs had campaigned for.

The extra boost means clubs nationwide, including in Hounslow and Feltham, will be able to invest in more jobs, new premises, and renovations.

Mike Ellis manager of Gala Bingo Feltham, Airpark Way, said while the Feltham bingo club has already undergone a £1.5million refurbishment less than 18 months ago, many were in need of work.

"Companies will be able to invest more in the clubs and buildings and move forward in the industry as we have been shrinking quite a lot and left to decline but now we can start to grow again," said Mr Ellis.

"For our club it's not a massive difference but for other clubs across the country it is.

"There is one in Hounslow which probably hasn't had money spent on it for a long time and this will help clubs like those at the heart of the community."

Mr Ellis was thrilled with the gaming tax cut, and was one of hundreds of managers across the country who backed the Boost Bingo campaign, run by The Bingo Association, which saw a 330,000-strong petition delivered to the doors of Number 11 Downing Street, last month.

Mr Ellis continued: "It's just an amazing thing for them to take us seriously.

"We spent a lot of time on the petition with 330,000 signatures from customers across the country and it shows if we pull together and tell them what we want they will listen.

"We have been trying to push the social activity for bingo and believe we should not be viewed the same as other gaming functions."

Miles Baron, chief executive of The Bingo Association, thanked supporters who backed the Boost Bingo campaign, which asked for bingo tax to be cut from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.

He said: “This is the most fantastic news – everyone is absolutely delighted.

"The decision to reduce duty by 10% means bingo clubs will get an even bigger boost than we had hoped for."