William Hill have installed Tom McCarthy's book 'C' as 2/1 favourite to win the Man Booker Prize 2010 at the Short List stage.

'There has been a considerable media buzz around all of the books on the Short List, and literary punters have staked more money in total on Tom McCarthy to win than any of the other authors, so he is a worthy favourite' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Hills make Emma Donoghue's 'Room' their 3/1 joint second favourite along with Damon Galgut's 'In A Strange Room', also at 3/1: 'One William Hill customer is convinced Damon Galgut will win - having placed £400 on him at 7/1, the largest single bet on the Prize for a few years' added Sharpe.

'Parrot and Olivier In America' by former winner Peter Carey is 5/1 fourth favourite, just ahead of 'The Long Song' by Andrea Levy at 7/1, with 'The Finkler Question' by Howard Jacobson the 8/1 outsider in the betting.

William Hill have revealed that an estimated one million pounds is now staked annually on the outcome of literary awards and prizes: 'The Man Booker has steadily stimulated the literary betting market over the years. It leads the way in producing a betting turnover well into five figures, while we believe there is now a seven figure sum gambled on literary awards each year industry-wide' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

William Hill odds....

2/1 Tom McCarthy 'C'
3/1 Emma Donoghue 'Room'
3/1 Damon Galgut 'In A Strange Room'
5/1 Peter Carey 'Parrot and Olivier in America'
7/1 Andrea Levy 'The Long Song'
8/1 Howard Jacobson 'The Finkler Question'