£7m White Christmas winner gets £31.78

Bookmakers Ladbrokes has refused to pay out an accumulator bet worth £7.1m to a man who wagered snow would fall on Christmas Day because it was accepted by mistake.

By The Newsroom

Published 8th Jan 2010, 20:06 BST

Updated 8th Jan 2010, 20:06 BST

Cliff Bryant, 52, from Southampton, placed two 5 accumulators on snow falling across 24 towns and cities in the North and Midlands on December 25.

But staff at the bookmakers accepted the gamble by mistake as the company rules state such a wager can only be a single bet.

The company has honoured the relevant single bets and paid out only 31.78 instead. It has apologised to Mr Bryant for the mistake.

It is claimed the first accumulator would have netted Mr Bryant just over 4.9m and the second 2.23m.

The graphic designer is now seeking legal advice.

North Southampton