At 73, Brian Shaw could be forgiven for wanting to put his feet up and relax in his retirement.

But the superfit pensioner is showing no signs of slowing down and is spending his days teaching youngsters his passion of tennis.

He has been playing and coaching the game for six decades after first picking up a racket, aged 13, at Reedswood Tennis Club in Walsall.

This summer he is back at the club hoping to encourage young people to follow in his footsteps.

A former top class county player for Staffordshire, Mr Shaw has played on the hallowed turf of Wimbledon.

He also knew the legendary tennis star Arthur Ashe and played against his brother John in a tournament in Bermuda.

A hip injury ended his playing career in 1983 and since then Mr Shaw has concentrated on developing the area’s best young talent.

He has helped to discover some of the country’s finest players, including Walsall’s Amy Sargeant and Charlotte Martin who is now on the ladies’ circuit in America.

Mr Shaw says his gruelling fitness routines, picked up during a stint in the army, alongside a sports psychology degree ensures his youngsters are mentally and physically tough enough to compete.

Such is his desire to help youngsters enjoy a game of tennis that kind-hearted Mr Shaw, of Coppice Farm Way, Willenhall, will be giving children free coaching next week despite Walsall Council cutting funding for its Ready Steady Summer project.

“Tennis is a wonderful game and has been part of my life for the last 60 years,” he said. “I love the game and want to show youngsters how fantastic the game of tennis is.”