TOP golfer John Bickerton is set to take time out from the European Tour to help the game at grassroots level.

Droitwich Spa-based Bickerton, who is currently ranked number 29 on the European Order of Merit, will launch the new £80,000 Bromsgrove Golf Academy at the town's Stratford Road golf centre next Monday.

Occupying more than 1,000 square feet, the academy's all-weather training studios will bring it to the forefront of golfing excellence in Worcestershire.

The studios have two cameras, monitors and a software package enabling the stance and swings of world-beaters such as Tiger Woods to be superimposed on golfers.

Resident professional Graeme Long said: "The graphics package will allow us to make direct visual comparisons to show a student what they are doing and what they should be doing.

"We believe this development is the first of its kind in Worcestershire and it could go some way to helping the county produce home grown talent to follow in the footsteps of John Bickerton and out onto the tour circuit."

The centre is already accredited as the English Golf Union's Midlands training centre and this new complex will further enhance Bromsgrove's status.

An open weekend is being held this Saturday and Sunday for players to sample the new technology for themselves.

Graeme, aged 34, added: "It's a tremendously exciting initiative and one that will elevate the Bromsgrove academy to among the very best teaching arenas in the region."