TED Hooker says he is not ready to hang up his racket just yet after celebrating his 90th birthday at Worcester Lawn Tennis Club.

Since moving to Worcester six years ago Hooker joined the Northwick club and still plays twice a week with his wife, Mary.

About 50 members turned out to celebrate Hooker’s birthday last Tuesday before he went back on court to showcase his skills.

“It was the best birthday party I could have possibly imagined,” Hooker said.

“We have made so many friends through the tennis club and it was a gorgeous event for us all.

“There were about 50 people there. We had a very nice lunch and people said some kind words.

“I played tennis with my daughter and my wife played with my son-in-law so everybody seemed to enjoy it.”

Hooker said he only started taking tennis seriously when he was in his 30s and went on to be a coach at Chipstead Tennis Club in Kent until the age of 70.

“Tennis keeps you fit and active amongst friends,” Hooker said.

“It is the best way I have ever found to exercise as the gym seems so sterile by comparison.

“They have been egging me on for the past year or so, saying that I have got to keep going.

“It has been a bit of strain at times but I am glad I have managed it and I am going to play on for a little while longer.

“They are very kind on Tuesdays and Fridays as they don’t seem to mind that I can’t run anymore and I make some bad errors.”

Tennis is not the only sport Hooker has tasted success in as he won numerous swimming competitions for Kent and for the Royal Air Force. He also swam competitively in his 70s, becoming the British champion in 100-metre freestyle at the age of 74.

“Swimming was very rewarding but I was having to spend a lot of time training to keep it up,” Hooker added.

“I was having to do five miles a week at that time and it was impinging on my tennis.

“My wife is very good for me.

“She insists I exercise every day and we still play tennis twice a week so hopefully I can keep that going.

“My wife’s backhand has actually got better in the past few years and she is 83.”