An optimistic Leicester fan who stands to win £25,000 if his team win the Premier League title has turned down an offer of £3,200 to 'cash out' of his wager.

Carpenter Leigh Herbert placed £5 on the Foxes to win the title at the start of the season when the odds were at 5000/1, reasoning that their strong finish to last season coupled with the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as manager made them worth a punt.

Leicester, who moved five points clear at the top of the table over the weekend with a 3-1 win over rivals Manchester City, are now favourites to win the title with most bookmakers.

William Hill, who revealed 12 people placed a bet with them on Leicester when the odds were at 5000/1, have offered Leigh the opportunity to cash in on his punt now. Yet despite the offer to turn his £5 into £3,200 and avoid a nerve-racking end to the season, Leigh refused.

“I am going to hang in there," said the 39-year-old. "I believe in fairy tales and £25,000 will be a life changing win.”

William Hill revealed that another punter placed £75 each way on Leicester at 1500/1 and will collect £140,775 if the Foxes clinch the title.

“For commercial reason we are not Leicester fans. Should they win the EPL we will be paying out £2 million plus,” said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.