TWO of Worcester’s political heavyweights are poised for a showdown in the unlikeliest of arenas – on the tennis courts of Cripplegate Park.

The city’s Labour MP Mike Foster has had his fair share of run-ins with the Conservative-led city council over the years, but his latest challenge served up to Tory leader Simon Geraghty surely takes some beating.

Mr Foster this week offered Coun Geraghty a game of tennis down at the St John’s park to publicise his campaign to have the city’s courts opened up for free to the Worcester public. Behind Mr Foster’s knockabout request lies a serious point – the MP has discovered the council’s Cripplegate court fees bring in less than £200 a year.

“When I first proposed free tennis court use, I thought there may be obstacles placed in the way,” Mr Foster said. “Finance is the usual one.

“But I was staggered to find out the council budget to receive £200 a year from court hire – and last year received substantially less than that.

“For the sake of two hundred quid, the council is dithering over making a decision. Simon could make the decision today if he wanted to.

“So I thought – why not invite him to a game of tennis and he could make the announcement then.”

Mr Foster said free tennis would benefit the whole city, encouraging people to take part in sport and lead healthier lifestyles.

Coun Geraghty admitted he too was surprised by the £200 figure, and agreed to investigate further.

“We obviously have to be extremely careful about income and expenditure at the moment, “ he said, referring to the city’s financial problems.

“But I’m more than happy to look at the situation, if indeed the budgeted income is only £200. But it’s also important to look at our plans for the park – we’re making improvements, and if some of that expenditure is based on future income I would not want to jeopardise that.” So what about an on-court showdown? “I can’t promise to be much good at tennis,” Mr Foster said. “Simon has nothing to fear.”

For his part, Coun Geraghty admitted to being “a little bit rusty”, but added: “One of the reasons we have to be so careful with money is our woeful (financial) settlement from the Government. I’d certainly give Mike a game of tennis for an increase in our funding!”