ENGLAND'S greatest ever table tennis player is coming to a Worcestershire village to coach youngsters in the sport.

Desmond Douglas English champion 11 times in the 70s and 80s, will be the coach at seven sessions being run at Cofton Hackett Village Hall, in Barnt Green Road.

Once ranked as high as seventh in the world, Desmond, who is still ranked eighth in England, will be on hand to offer his expert advice to youngsters of all ages.

The first session starts tonight (Wednesday) and runs from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Sessions run weekly until July 24 and cost £6 per week.

In addition to the coaching course, Cofton Hackett Table Tennis Club meets at the hall every Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm with coach Jim Maguire.

The club has six table tennis tables, four of which were bought with a £2,610 National Lottery grant. Two tables have been loaned by the Bromsgrove and Redditch table tennis league.

For further details call Jim Maguire on 0121 445 3476.