You Bet White Christmas Is Coming

This year, for the first time in 30 years of white Christmas betting, bookmakers William Hill will be accepting wagers on snow falling on Buckingham Palace during the 24 hour period of Christmas day.

William Hill have made the move following the revelation that the Met Office weather station in London will no longer be a manned station 24 hours a day. Fortunately for festive flutters lovers, the Met Office have given assurance that advances in technology will mean that they will be able to give a result for Buckingham Palace and the surrounding area.

"There is no doubt that some of the romance of White Christmas betting will be lost, as it is a much loved concept of a forecaster spending a chilly 24 hours on the roof of the Met Office looking out for that elusive single snow flake, but I am sure punters will be happy that we have moved the result to Buckingham Palace!" said William Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

Michael Fish, who is acting as official adviser to William Hill's on the chances of a White Christmas this year, said, "It looks highly unlikely we will be seeing a white Christmas this year, although at this early stage it is very difficult to predict."

Rupert Adams said, "Michael is the expert, but he has been wrong in the past and there could be value in a bet this year - I say lump on!"

William Hill also offer 20/1 that the record top temperature is beaten on Christmas Day (Presently- 15.6C 1920 Kilerton Devon).