LONDON: India-born controversial author Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' has established an unassailable lead over five other contenders in global public voting for the 'Best of the Booker' award. ( Watch )

The winner will be formally announced on July 10 as part of the London Literature Festival at Southbank Centre but bookmakers have now closed betting on the award after Rushdie's 'Midnight Children' emerged as clear favourite.

"The voting pattern has been well established now and will not change," a senior executive of William Hill said.

Public voting for the award is officially open till July 8 but bookmakers William Hill have 'closed the book' and have stopped accepting bets.

Rushdie (61) was the firm favourite at 6/4. Rushdie was knighted by queen Elizabeth II last month for his "services to literature."

Rushdie who has written a number of acclaimed books, went into hiding in 1989 after the publication of his controversial book, 'The Satanic Verses'.

Besides Rushdie, the other five contenders are: Pat Parkers 'The Ghost Road', Peter Careys 'Oscar and Lucinda', J M Coetzees 'Disgrace', J G Farrells 'The Siege of Krishnapur' and Nadine Gordimers 'The Conservationist'.