Gambler makes a million from 50p

One lucky punter is believed to have become Britain's first betting shop millionaire with a 50p two million-to-one stake. The unnamed gambler placed a 50p bet on an eight-horse accumulator to net his million - William Hill's limit on horseracing.

The customer, said to be a regular at the bookmaker's betting shop in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is yet to come forward to collect his winnings. William Hill said he places similar bets almost daily but has never come close to winning on any major scale before.