A landlord has painted his town-centre pub the colours of Crystal Palace after losing a bet on the club's promotion fate.

John McFarlane turned the Bull's Head blue and red this week after wrongly predicting Ian Holloway's men would fail to reach the Premier League.

John, 50, pledged to carry out the paint job if Palace were promoted as part of a pre-season wager with friend Andrew Lang.

Andrew 56, agreed give the Laud Street alehouse a fresh lick of its traditional cream and burgundy if the club were relegated.

But it was John who was dialling for the decorators after Kevin Phillips's spot kick sealed Palace's place in the top flight in May.

He said: "I thought I was onto a winner when they lost the first few games of the season, but then they had that great run.

"I can't decide whether to shake Andrew's hand or throttle him. A lot of people have been tooting their horns as they pass and if I hear one more person shouting 'Eagles' I don't know what I'll do."

Painters set to work on Monday last week and had finished the job by Friday.

John said: "The reaction has been fantastic. It has brought a bit of happiness and colour into people's lives. Hopefully we'll get a few Palace fans in - they'll be more than welcome."

"And the pub looks good - the painters did a great job. I live across the road from the pub so I look out my window and it's the first thing I see."

Scotsman John, who has run the Bulls Head for ten years, supports Glasgow Rangers and Chelsea.

But he has no plans to paint over his pub's new red stripes to match the colours of his beloved clubs.

He said: "The colours are up there and they are staying there. Hopefully Palace will stay up next season. As long as Palace are in existence, it will be Palace coloured.

"I'll be an honourary fan from now on."

But John might be more cautious placing bets in future.

He said: "Next year I'm going to have a bet with somebody who supports a team in black and white - the paint is cheaper."