A LOVE of tennis has given a Ledbury bookshop owner a 10-day slot at the London Olympics.

Lesley Cowan, aged 66, of the Three Counties Bookshop in the High Street, has been selected to be an official Games Maker, or steward at Wimbledon, for the tennis.

So far Mrs Cowan, who has played tennis at club level, though not in Ledbury, is the only person from the town who is known to have been selected as a Games Maker.

She said: "I wonder if other people in this area have been chosen? It would be nice to share this wonderful experience with others. I know that 250,000 in the UK applied to the Games Makers. I applied two years ago and I had to attend a 25-minute interview in Cardiff eight months ago. Security is very tight.”

Mrs Cowan will have to attend three training days, starting on Sunday, February 5, at Wimbledon.

“I am not sure what I will have to do during the Olympics. I might be looking after the ball boys and girls. I might be outside, helping out with tickets,” she said.

“Tennis was my first choice when I applied so I’ve been very lucky. I hope to meet some of the stars and obviously I would like to see Andy Murray play and meet him.”

She is no stranger to Wimbledon, having been there in the past to see John McEnroe and Illie Nastase play.

Mrs Cowan’s stewarding will be unpaid for the whole of the 10 days and she must meet her own expenses.

She has a daughter, Victoria, who lives in Richmond, London, and she will stay with her during the games.