VETERAN tennis player Harry Cooper has celebrated his 90th birthday – and is still foxing the opposition with his wily shots.

Nicknamed “Harry the Lob” – reflecting his favourite shot - the retired managing director from Kidderminster holds court most Wednesday mornings at Wollaston Lawn Tennis Club (LTC) in Stourton, Stourbridge.

And it is not unusual for him to go straight from tennis to play bowls in Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge – followed by tripping the light fantastic at ballroom dancing sessions in Cradley, Kidderminster or Bewdley in the evening.

“I’m very fit for my age, which I put down to keeping active,” said great grandfather Mr Cooper, of Pineridge Drive, Kidderminster, who used to run W Priest & Sons Ltd in Old Hill, where he started work at the age of 14. “I feel lucky.”

Mr Cooper, who served in the army during the Second World War, played football and cricket in his youth and later badminton.

But he was a “late starter” at tennis at the age of around 40, first playing on the grass courts at Wollescote Park, Stourbridge.

A friend later introduced him to Wollaston Tennis Club, where he has played for most of the last five decades.

“My nickname is ‘Harry the Lob’ – that’s because when someone is charging the net I just lob them and I’ve perfected that shot,” said Mr Cooper.

“There’s a lot of room up the top there and the opposition can’t reach it – the lob is an under-rated shot.

“I also like doing drop shots.”

Mr Cooper, whose all-time tennis hero is American John McEnroe, said he finds no difficulty in playing tennis in a morning, bowls in an afternoon and ballroom dancing with his partner, Brenda Flemming, from Stourport, aged in her mid-80s, at night.

“My bowls has come on no end over the last couple of years and this year I have won three trophies,” he said.

Mr Cooper was married for 54 years to Marion, who died in 2003, and the couple had two children.

He and Marion used to enjoy ballroom dancing together but, after her loss, Mr Cooper teamed up with Brenda.

He is now the oldest player at Wollaston Tennis Club, off Prestwood Drive, Stourton, although there are many others aged in their 70s and 80s.

The Wednesday morning players there celebrated his 90th birthday just before Christmas – as well as the 80th birthday of another player, Brian Plant.

Club chairman John Cutler said: "Brian and Harry are just two prime examples of the benefit of tennis club membership.

“On Wednesday morning at Wollaston 20 plus players all over 60 and many in their 70s and 80s enjoy a good standard of tennis plus coffee and a good chat, putting the world to right or organising the next social, tournament or club development.

“It’s evidence that playing tennis will give you an advantage in life – and that was the conclusion of recently published research by Oxford University and universities in Finland and Australia.”

Like Mr Cooper, retired teacher Mr Plant has been a member at Wollaston LTC for over 35 years.