ACCORDING to Ladbrokes, 'Sir Richard Leese, is the early front-runner to be the first directly elected Mayor of Manchester, according to Ladbrokes. The current Manchester council leader has been installed as the 3/1 favourite with a number of other local Labour politicians also fancied as potential runners by the bookies.'

It's all amusing stuff despite the fact Ladbrokes don't seem to be aware this post is for a Mayor for Greater Manchester not just the city of Manchester. 

Ladbroke's also say if the voters prefer a more independent voice as Mayor, then Danny Boyle at 16/1 or, Lord help us all, 'former Happy Monday's dancer and now political activist' Bez at 33/1, might fit the bill. 

Matthew Shaddick of Ladbrokes said: "We think that whoever gets the nod as Labour candidate must be favourite. On the other hand, David Moyes is available, but we're not sure the Mancunian public will want him back in charge of anything anytime soon; we're not expecting a rush of bets, even at 200/1."

It's all amusing stuff despite the fact Ladbrokes don't seem to be aware this post is for a Mayor for Greater Manchester not just the city of Manchester. 

Ladbrokes' latest betting*

Who will be elected Mayor?

3/1 Sir Richard Leese

5/1 Tony Lloyd

6/1 Jonathan Reynolds

6/1 Sir Howard Bernstein

8/1 Graham Stringer

12/1 Tom Bloxham

16/1 Jim McMahon

16/1 Danny Boyle

16/1 Hazel Blears

25/1 Sir Gerald Kaufman

25/1 Sean Anstee

33/1 Bez and his bees

33/1 Terry Christian

50/1 Maxine Peake

50/1 Gary Neville

66/1 Sir Alex Ferguson

90/1 Danger Mouse

95/1 Karl Pilkington

100/1 Morrissey

200/1 David Moyes

250/1 Sir Robert Peel (deceased)

300/1 Team GB Cycling (Each morning a cyclist will set off from the Town Hall of each of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester stopping off to ask people their concerns. At 2.07pm the cyclists will convene at a big round table in the middle of the National Cycling Centre and thrash out policy for the county dressed in full lycra and wearing those weird Alien-head helmets.)

666/1 Gordo

*Some additions have been added to this Ladbrokes list.