Bookies report rush of bets for Winslet winning Oscar

Kate Winslet has attracted 10 times more money than her nearest rival in the betting for the best actress Oscar, it was announced today.

The 33-year-old Brit has already won both a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice award for Best Supporting Actress for 'The Reader', in which she plays a Nazi concentration camp guard who has an affair with a teenager.

Winslet also has a Bafta nomination for the part.

British bookmaker Ladbrokes has moved her Oscar odds from 5/4 to even money as backers have flooded in.

Her closest competitors appear to be Anne Hathaway at 6/4 and Meryl Streep at 5/1, with outsiders Angelina Jolie at 12/1 and Melissa Leo at 14/1.

Spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "We have seen bits and bobs for Hathaway and Jolie but Winslet is the one they all want to be with at the moment."

It is believed a victory for Winslet could cost bookmakers as much as Helen Mirren did when 'The Queen' was successful in 2006.

Mickey Rourke is now 4/5 from evens to claim the Best Actor gong after he also came in for strong support.

The Oscars take place on February 22.