Punters back Susan Boyle to win

Susan Boyle has become a worldwide hit after her TV appearance

Thousands of pounds worth of bets have been placed on West Lothian singing sensation Susan Boyle to win the Britain's Got Talent TV competition.

The church volunteer is currently the favourite to walk away with the show's £100,000 prize and to sing at the Royal Variety Performance.

Ms Boyle, 47, sang I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables in her audition.

Bookmaker William Hill said it had taken more than 3,000 bets on her to win after she became an internet hit.

Several of the bets were for "a few thousands pounds".

Ms Boyle, 47, has received international acclaim and recognition since being catapulted into the limelight after appearing on the ITV show.

More than 32 million people around the world have viewed her performance on internet site youtube.

Graham Sharpe of William Hill said: "Around 93% of the bets we have received for Britain's Got Talent have been for Susan Boyle, and the turnover is into five figures.

"We have had some bets of several thousand pounds which is unusual for reality television, as it is based on the reaction of the judges and the public."

"Susan is the red-hot favourite just now and to have one (contestant) that is utterly monopolising the betting in this way is pretty much unprecedented.

"However, we don't believe that all the best acts have been seen yet, so it may change."