Around 12,000 Ladbrokes staff are to receive free shares in the company as a reward for the firm’s success, the bookmaker announced today.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes looked forward to a summer of sport today after posting a 5% hike in profits in the first four months of the year.

The online gambling performance of bookmaker Ladbrokes left it in bullish mood today as the former Hilton company marked its first day as a standalone business.

Leading figures from the world's of horse racing, high society and showbusiness gathered today for the funeral of legendary owner and breeder Robert Sangster.