BOOKMAKER Neville Porter is set to "revolutionise" the scale of the business after introducing technology that will allow it to run multiple pitches at some of the UK's leading racecourses.

The County Durham company is leading the field in using the software system, developed in Ireland, which allows it to operate several betting outlets at the same site, all of which are controlled by a central computer.

Managing director Neville Porter, who set up the Chester-le-Street firm in 1980, said the move could see turnover at its racecourse outlets rise by at least 66 per cent, and that the business was set to significantly outperform its £4m turnover target.

The system is already being used at Newcastle Racecourse, and was used at the recent Cheltenham meeting, which was Neville Porter's best year at the even. The company is now planning to install it at major courses including Newmarket and Haydock.

The AIM-listed business already operates 41 pitches at 26 UK sites - including two recently set up at Irish racecourses Leopardstown and Galway - a figure which could increase significantly.

Mr Porter said: "This is really revolutionary technology which allows us to have more than one pitch at a race course, and we are leading the field by using it.

"By adding a second stand, you may not do the same level of business as with the first, but it should see takings on the day increase by about 66 per cent. Really, this could revolutionise the business.

"At a meeting in Newcastle on March 31, we had three pitches in different areas, but all bets were going through one computer. From one computer, I can keep control of the odds and see the liability of the business.

"We are now looking to install it in every one of our courses, and are planning to start with Newmarket and Haydock, and then look at more from there."

Neville Porter, which launched its multi-sport internet betting site www.npbet.co.uk and its call centre earlier this week, has predicted that part of the business will generate £7m of income in its first year of operation.

It has been further boosted by deals with two leading odds comparison sites - www.easy odds.com and www.bestbet ting.com - which will display Neville Porter's odds alongside major bookmakers such as Ladbrokes, William Hill and Coral.

"That side of the business has only just started to get up and running, but we have been placed alongside the cream of the bookmakers by doing deals with those two sites, which could have a very significant impact on turnover," he said.