WORCESTER badminton star Simon Archer has been handed a surprise place at this year's World Champion-ships.

The 2000 Olympic mixed doubles bronze medallist and men's doubles partner Anthony Clark will join the England squad for the tournament in Anaheim, Orange County, California, between August 15 and 21.

The pair, reigning English national champions, were not included in the original line-up because they were ranked outside the top 24 in the world.

But Archer received the shock call after some competing nations failed to take up their allocation.

He said: "It's a fantastic opportunity. I was concentrating on the Commonwealth Games next year."