LUCKY punter Terry O'Neil backed the wrong horse - and ended up more than £32,000 better off.

The Gateshead gambler entered the wrong runner on his "Lucky 15" betting slip and, when he realised later, wrote off his chances of a big win.

However, Mr O'Neil, a regular customer at the Allerdene branch of North-East bookies' Pagebet in Gateshead, was delighted when the mistakenly-chosen horse turned out to be Scottish National winner Run For Paddy, who squeaked in at 33-1 after a photo-finish.

His bet - comprising of four horses in four single bets, six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold - earned him £32,608.40.

"I was stunned," said Mr O'Neil, 48. "I've been betting on horses ever since my first Grand National runner, Well to Do, in 1972, won for me at 14-1. But I've never had a win anywhere near as big as this."

He added: "In the Scottish National, I had meant to pick King Killone, but I had put in Run For Paddy by mistake.

"The photo-finish just added to the drama."

Mr O'Neil and his partner, Ellie, joined Pagebet at Newcastle races for a lunch to receive his cheque.

David Grouse, of Pagebet, said: "With photo-finishes, mistaken selections and big-field handicaps involved, he must have nerves of steel."