Thousands of people who were told they would get only a third of their winnings after betting on Brighton and Hove's city bid will be paid in full after all.

Punters had been told they could not claim the full amount because Wolverhampton and Inverness had also been granted city status so the winnings would have to be split.

But after a U-turn by bookmaker William Hill, gamblers can now claim the full amount.

Customers were furious because they had not been warned when they put money on that they might lose out if other towns won the race as well.

Graham Sharpe, media relations director at William Hill - the only bookie to take bets on the race - said: "We are playing Santa.

"We have now decided that, as it's Christmas, we will pay out in full for people who backed Brighton and Hove, Wolverhampton and Inverness.

"If those who were not given the full amount can identify themselves and return to the bookmakers they will get the full amount owing."

He said William Hill had acted after receiving numerous calls from genuinely aggrieved punters.