Punter bets £5,000 on Labour victory

A punter laid a £5,000 eve-of-poll bet on Labour winning the General Election with an overall majority, at odds of 14/1, bookmaker William Hill reported today.

The man, a previously unknown customer, walked into the branch in Clapham, south west London, asked what the odds were and handed over the cash.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "He'll have to come back and collect £75,000 if he's right. It was the biggest bet struck yet on Labour."

However, Hills also took a £6,000 bet for a Tory majority at 6/4, which will return £15,000.

"We're beginning to see the big punters making their moves, as we expected in this record-breaking election in which £25 million is riding on the outcome," said Mr Sharpe.

Another Hills client wagered £10,000 on Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg retaining his Sheffield Hallam seat - but at odds of 1/50 he will make a profit of just £200.

"He obviously thinks he'll pick up more in profit from us than by leaving the money in the bank or building society for a couple more days - and he's almost certainly right," Mr Sharpe added.