Alien Life Odds Slashed As New Earth Discovered

Following the revelation that astronomers have discovered a planet which may replicate conditions on Earth, bookmakers William Hill have slashed the odds about the existence of intelligent extra-terrestrial life from 1000/1 to 100/1.

"We would face a possible eight figure payout if it were to be confirmed that intelligent life of extra-terrestrial origin currently exists" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe. "So we felt we had to react to the news that an Earth-like planet which could support intelligent life has been discovered - after all, we don't know for sure that intelligent extra-terrestrial life has not already been discovered, but is being hushed up."

The terms of the bet are that within one calendar year of a wager being placed, confirmation of the current existence of intelligent extra-terrestrial life will be officially authenticated by the serving Prime Minister of the day.

"We have come a cropper before when, in the early sixties, we offered 1000/1 about man walking on the Moon before 1970 and ended up paying out the equivalent of a million pounds, including £10,000 to the first man to place such a bet, David Threlfall." added William Hill's spokesman.