A BOOKMAKING duo hope they have backed a certainty by more than doubling in size.

Reuben Page, in Consett, County Durham has bought the Ernie Forster chain of betting shops to become one of the region's leading independent bookmakers.

Austin Carney and David Archer turned a teenage interest in the turf into their livelihood when they took over the Reuben Page name in the late 1980s.

Almost 15 years later the business, in Medomsley Road, is blossoming following last year's Budget decision to scrap betting tax.

Having bought and sold some shops over the years, the pair took their biggest gamble to date by taking over the 13 Ernie Forster shops, mainly in east Durham and on Wearside.

It gives Reuben Page a strong foothold across north and east Durham and in the Sunderland area, with a total of 24 shops. These include an outlet in Sunderland's High Street West, opened recently by footballer Niall Quinn.

A revamp and upgrade will be carried out to the others over the next three years.

Mr Carney said: "We've only got three of the original Reuben Page shops, but we've streamlined, off-loading a couple here and there that haven't worked, and we've picked up others.

"We're based in Consett and Ernie Forster was based in Sunderland and east Durham, so it's a big step. It's taken us to a level where we can offer our own prices rather than using other people's."

He added: "All our prices in our shops are our own. Only two other independent bookmakers in the North-East are able to offer that service.

"We can also really push special bets with a particular local interest, dedicated odds on things like Sunderland and Newcastle games."

Reuben Page now has 100 full and part-time staff. Only John Joyce and Chisholm's are believed to be bigger among other regional independent bookies.