HORSE dentist Ken Holmes has just had a bet settled - by the Queen.

Mr Holmes, of Cliffe Common, near Selby, wrote to Buckingham Palace saying he and his partner, Moira Emmett, had had a £10 wager on the colour of the outfit she wore on her recent visit to York.

He told the Queen that he was confident it was lime green, while his partner was sure it was apple green.

He added that £10 was at stake - with the loser handing over the money to a fund for injured jockeys.

The Queen replied by return of post, confirming her coat was indeed apple green, as was her matching wide-brimmed hat.

Mr Holmes, 68, also told the Queen in his letter that he thought she looked lovely - and she responded by saying she much appreciated his kind remarks.

The Palace letter, signed by a lady-in-waiting, added that the Queen had greatly enjoyed her visit to York.

Mr Holmes said: "I was amazed when I got the letter from Buckingham Palace - I didn't even expect a reply.

"There can't be many people who have had a bet settled by the Queen.

"I'm going to have the letter framed and I'm more than happy to stump up a tenner for a worthy cause."

He said he wrote to the Queen after all the confusion over the colour of her outfit. Radio commentators had variously described it as apple green, jade, and mint, while Evening Press observers had plumped for lime green.

PICTURE: PHOTO FINISH: Ken Holmes with his letter from the Queen and an Evening Press picture of her on the visit to York Picture: Mike Tipping