British bookmakers William Hill have taken their biggest ever single sporting bet - 240,000 Pounds on Brazil beating France in the World Cup final in 90 minutes play. It is an even-money bet, so if Brazil wins in Paris tomorrow, the lucky punter will make 240,000 Pounds profit.

William Hill will, however, have a lot more to pay out if Brazil emerge triumphant. A Birmingham man is also sweating on a South American victory which would make him the biggest ever winner from a British bookmaker.

Florist Adrian Fitzpatrick will land 544,500 Pounds, having staked 18,000 Pounds coupling a Brazil success with Arsenal winning the English premiership, which they duly achieved in March.

That would bring his total World Cup winnings from William Hill to 939,500 Pounds, as in 1994 he won 395,000 Pounds when Brazil clinched the trophy in the United States, having staked a 13,000 Pounds accumulator bet.

Man commits suicide over World Cup bet

A sugar mill ownerhanged himself after losing his business on a World Cup bet, a newspaper reported today. It was the second suicide in Vietnam over a wager on the soccer tournament. The man, who was not identified, staked his mill on Germany beating Croatia in the quarter-final, but the Croats scored a 3-0 upset, the Thanh Nien (Youth) newspaper said.

A 24-year-old man earlier hanged himself after losing his motorcycle on the Germany-Yugoslavia match. There also has been at least one other attempted suicide over the World Cup in Vietnam.