ACCORDING to the bookies, Monster Raving Loony Eddie Vee is 50 times more likely to be elected York MP than Prince Andrew is to become king.

With such bizarre bets, your chances of winning are infinitesimal - but you can boost your odds. A psychologist said today that lucky people create their own good fortune.

That is because they maximise their opportunities. For example, you are more likely to pick up a top tip by spending time at York Racecourse or in the Bootham School staffroom. But betting is still a mug's game, as we were only saying to Elvis and Lord Lucan in the King's Arms the other day.

Updated: 11:12 Friday, January 03, 2003