INTERESTED in the stock market but a bit nervous about buying shares? Well, Paddy Power is offering an alternative - have a punt on the share prices of AIB, Bank of Ireland and Smurfit as of July 1st.

Mind you, Paddy Power does not seem to be over-generous with the odds they're offering punters on share prices, but in the interests of developing this new "stock market", here are some of the odds on offer.

At 7/4 - AIB below 400p, Bank of Ireland below 565p and Smurfit below 170p. At 6/4 - AIB between 400p and 440p, Bank of Ireland between 565p and 610p and Smurfit between 170p and 190p.