Man beats bookmakers by turning 100

LONDON (Reuters) - A British man celebrated his 100th birthday with 25,000 pounds ($50,000) in winnings on Tuesday after he beat the bookmakers with a wager that he would live for a century.

Alec Holden, from Epsom, south west of London, had placed a 100 pound bet with bookmaker William Hill almost 10 years ago that he would live to be 100 years old.

The retired engineer said a daily diet of porridge and playing chess was the key to his longevity -- as was remembering to keep breathing.

"When we started taking these bets, a 100 years old seemed to be an almost mythical landmark and we were prepared to offer massive odds," said Rupert Adams of William Hill.

"But these age wagers are starting to cost us a fortune."