A British man celebrated his 100th birthday more than £7 000 (R75 000) the richer on Sunday after placing a bet 10 years ago — on his own long life expectancy.
Arthur Best bet he would reach the age of 100, which he did on Sunday, and as well as his special congratulatory telegram from Queen Elizabeth he had his winnings on the 66:1 wager to enjoy.
His secret? Well, according to his son, Edward: ”He gave up smoking years ago. Has a drop of Scotch each night but he is not a great drinker.”
A birthday party was thrown in his honour in the town of Shrewsbury in eastern England to which the guard of honour of his old regiment with which he served in India and Burma was invited.
Britons who go in for betting usually bet on football match results or racing, although somebody currently has a bet placed, also at 66:1, on Prime Minister Tony Blair growing a moustache. — Sapa-AFP