The tiny island of Guernsey is being torn apart by a row over betting in public houses.

Despite a long history of putting a wager on the gee-gees while in the local boozer, all bets may soon be off if a number of the island’s bookies have their way.

Three of the island's seven bookmakers have called for a ban on people being able to place bets in the pub.

At the final meeting before the Home Department submits its review on gambling legislation, the three bookies, which remain unnamed, called for closing time on betting in public houses.

However, the other four betting agents are opposing a ban, as it could be potentially harmful to their business.

One of the bookies who is against the ban, and who wished to remain anonymous said "The ones who wanted the ban have hardly got any pubs and they think it would be to their advantage because they think people would go into the bookies more often.

"But it would definitely not be good for us because a lot of our business comes from people placing bets in pubs."

He added: "I remember being a young man and putting a bet on while having a pint. It's been like this for about 50 years. It's always been the case that you could put a bet on in a pub in Guernsey and I don't see why it should change."

Rockmount landlord, Dave Nussbaumer, said: "The bookmakers who want this are just doing it for their own pockets. All that would change is that people would phone up their bookmakers from the pub. Its absolute stupidity and pure jealousy that they have not got all the business.

"I think they should concentrate on improving the standards of their own business so that, maybe, more people would go into the bookies."

It would take a majority of bookmakers to back a ban for the Home Department to consider changing the law, so in the meantime, Guernsey pub-goers can still back a racing tip as they enjoy their tipple.