A PENSIONER punter who won £40,000 by betting on Donald Trump being elected US president celebrated by treating himself to a 70p bag of mint humbugs.

"They were more expensive than I thought," said frugal Alan Armstrong, who wagered £5,000 on Republican Trump beating Democrat rival Kamala Harris.

He placed his bet over three years ago at 7/1 - an attractive price as Trump had lost to Joe Biden and even Republicans were casting doubt on whether he would win the party's nomination.

But that did not deter Alan, who at 83 was so concerned about his health he had the original betting slip stored at his solicitor's office alongside his will.

But Alan, who lives in Barrow, kept a photocopy of the slip which was promptly verified by Betfred staff in the town.

Alan said he would not be splashing out on a posh holiday or treating himself to a new car and is even contemplating keeping the leaky shoes he repaired last week using super glue.

Donald TrumpDonald Trump (Image: Evan Vucci/PA)

He refused to divulge 'private matters' such as his work before retirement or any family details and apart from the mint humbugs has no plans to celebrate his big win.

However, politics he enthusiastically embraces, saying: "I follow politics in America, Canada, China and Australia in particular. I suppose you could call it my hobby in a way.

"I knew Donald Trump would win even before he got the Republican nomination, and Betfred had the best odds back in 2021 on that happening.

"The Democrats were talking about world affairs in their campaign but self-preservation is such an important factor and that's the economy as it always is both here and in America.

"I don't follow politics in the UK anything like as much, but I am a Reform supporter and I'm thinking about Nigel Farage being the next Prime Minister for like Trump he knows what people are concerned about."

Alan, who maintains he has everything he needs, was presented with a bottle of champagne and US-style hotdogs courtesy of Betfred boss Fred Done - both of which he promptly put in his shopping bag and took home.

Fred said: "Betting on politics is a huge growth area for us at Betfred.

"Yet again, Trump winning across the pond has cost us a fortune, with Alan the biggest winner having showed his expertise on world politics to get on early on when the odds were so attractive.

"Hearty congratulations to him."