A UNIQUE bet could win a centenarian a place in history if she can reach her 105th birthday.

Elizabeth Pearce, 61, has placed a bet with William Hill bookmakers that her 100-year-old aunt, Freda Owen, of Trowbridge, will still be around in five years time.

Mrs Pearce, of South Wigston, Leicestershire, said: "I had read in the paper about William Hill taking a bet that someone who was 90 would reach 100 and I thought I wished I had done that for Freda. I think she will make it. She is an incredible person."

William Hill gave Mrs Pearce odds of 105-1 and she placed a bet of £105, which would net winnings of £11,130.

Rupert Adams, from William Hill, said: "It is the first time that anyone has ever bet on getting to 105. We got a letter come through for this lady and we thought 'why not?'"

"It is a bit of fun and it is a present to give for a 100th birthday that is something a bit different. Hopefully all will go well and she will win."

Mrs Owen, of St Thomas' Road, celebrated her 100th birthday with a big party for family and friends in Trowbridge Civic Hall two weeks ago.

If all goes well her niece plans to use the winnings to hire a hotel for another big party in 2010.

Mrs Owen said: "I think it is a bit silly to expect me to go another five years but it is nice that my family want to keep me around."

Mrs Owen moved to Trowbridge 53 years ago to take a job as senior mistress at the Victoria Commercial School, which once stood in Market Street.

After 13 years she moved to Roundstone School where she remained until she retired in 1971.

Mrs Owen remains very active. She regularly attends poetry groups and is planning to take up learning German and only gave up voluntary work with Oxfam and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) when she reached 90.

Mrs Pearce thinks her aunt's secret is that she has always done everything in moderation.