His friends might disagree, but David Higgins confesses the biggest gamble of his life was deciding to marry his girlfriend.

But that was before the 39-year-old clerical worker laid a bet on good weather for his wedding day.

Now David, of Cross-in-Hand, near Heathfield, looks set to win £1,000 following his one-off gamble, even though he usually only has a flutter on the horses.

Despite rain and low temperatures during June and early July, Mr Higgins wagered £50 that the sun would shine today after hearing a long-term weather forecast.

Now, with meteorologists predicting another hot July day, David and his bride-to-be, Joanne Bishop, 29, are in line for the wedding present with a difference.

Bookies William Hill offered David odds of 20-1 on the temperature reaching 27C (81F) at the church between noon and 5pm this afternoon.

The Rev Geoff Pickering, vicar of All Saints' Church in Old Heathfield, will take the official temperature reading to verify the bet.

If David wins, he will use the cash to fund the couple's two-day honeymoon in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex.

David and Joanne, who have a four-year-old daughter, Holly, are now preying for blazing sunshine.

He said: "It was raining, gloomy and dreadful at the time of the bet. I heard a long-range forecast saying it was going to be baking around the wedding day. I thought that's got to be worth a punt.

"Joanne doesn't mind. She's quite happy about it actually. Hopefully it will pay for honeymoon.

"The vicar is a man of the cloth, so if the temperature doesn't make it, we won't win.

"Of course, it all depends where we put the thermometer.

"I can't remember where I heard the forecast. It was just one of those things I had a good feeling about.

"At the time, it was chucking it down, but as it was our wedding day, I just knew the weather had to improve. I like betting on the horses, but I've never bet on anything as bizarre as this before. The biggest gamble I have ever taken was marrying Jo."

A spokesman for William Hill said: "It was quite brave of him because when he placed the bet the weather was really awful. Nobody would have thought it would be 80F within two weeks.

"People tend to bet for rain on their wedding day because at least then they win some money if it does pour.

"It seems Mr Higgins must have known he was going to have a perfect wedding."