TWO new websites launched by a Scarborough businessman to appeal to those who love football and a flutter have generated four million hits since going on-line a month ago, it was announced today.

The websites are fulltimewhistle.com, described as a fun-packed football site and NetBetSports.com which, it is claimed, is set to "challenge the dominance of high street bookmakers." Already they have created 14 full-time new jobs and more are to follow.

The man behind the two ventures based in Christchurch House, Vernon Road, Scarborough is Paul Moorhouse, whose Scarborough business interests include property development, bars and restaurants.

Mr Moorhouse, who spends part of the year in Scarborough and part in Thailand, said: "We're really thrilled with the success so far of the new sites.

"They are the result of more than a year's hard work and planning by our team here in Scarborough. They have been launched both here in the UK and throughout the Far East by a superb advertising and marketing campaign. The instant success is great news for us and great news for Scarborough."

He claims that punters are flocking to NetBetSports.com to find the best odds in the UK; that all "on-shore" betting on the website is tax-free and that betting limits are "significantly higher than high street and most other Internet bookmakers."

As long as customers have sufficient funds in their account, bets of £1,000 are immediately accepted without referral. Bets are taken on any sport "and virtually anything else too."

Mr Moorhouse describes fulltimewhistle.com as "the best fun you can have with your kit on" and says it is packed with up-to-the-minute news, views, reviews, information and final scores 24 hours a day, seven days a week and "covers anything and everything about the best and the worst of the English and Premier Leagues."