REGULARS at a North-East bookmakers' could not believe their eyes as staff cheered on a horse which, if it had won, would have seen them pay out £120,000.

A popular pensioner, who regularly backs horses at Ladbrokes Ferryhill shop, in County Durham, was looking for his second jackpot win in a week.

The man backed six winning horses last week to scoop £26,000 in the Tote's Scoop Six game.

The pensioner, who is not being named, also received a one-off bet as part of the win, with £120,000 up for grabs. He was given a race, the 2.45pm at Lingfield, and had to pick the winner.

He was left disappointed when Ardent, his choice, came ninth out of 12 runners.

A Ladbrokes spokesman said: "Unfortunately, he was beaten by the best part of 20 lengths, so he didn't get much of a run for his money."

He described the man as a regular and popular customer with staff.

"In spite of the fact that he's cost the bookmaking business with his first win, the staff in the shop were all rooting for him," he said.

"Hopefully, he will give us a chance to win some of it back."