PRIME Minister Tony Blair enjoyed putting on spin of a different kind when he took to the court at the Bolton Arena.

The Labour leader took off his jacket and had a quick tennis session during his visit last night to the sporting centre at Middlebrook.

Mr Blair was on a tour of Greater Manchester to see the facilities which will be used to host the Commonwealth Games this summer.

After putting on an impressive performance, he said: "The great thing about tennis is that when you get older you can still play.

"I know people who are 20 years older than me who are still playing. With football, you get to the age of 35 and it becomes difficult."

His opponent on the court was 28-year-old Shaun Murray, from Stockport, who is practising at the arena in a bid to become a professional coach.

He said: "You could tell right away he played tennis, he hit quite a good ball." After looking around the facilities, Mr Blair spoke to around 500 Labour Party members and local organisations at a question and answer session held in a exhibition centre at the arena.

Bolton's three MPs, Dr Brian Iddon, David Crausby and Ruth Kelly, who introduced the Prime Minister, were all at the conference.

Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for culture, chaired the debate.

Mr Blair also spoke to Rivington and Blackrod School pupils Chris Hooshyar and Roxanne Samuel, who are both aged 14.

They are sponsored by the Lawn Tennis Association and are allowed to practise frequently at the arena.

Bolton Arena will host the badminton event when the Commonwealth Games take place from July 25 to August 4.

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