Tennis knockabout for former PM

Mr Blair set up the foundation to boost interest in the sport

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair challenged tennis star Greg Rusedski as part of a scheme to encourage children to take up the sport.

The pair played a few shots at the Sunderland Tennis Centre.

They watched the final of the Tony Blair Foundation Challenge Cup, a tennis competition between 350 schools from the area.

The foundation helps children in the north-east of England try different sports by providing coaching.

Mr Blair said: "I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made at the foundation, but it won't stop here.

"With 2012 less than three years away, we need to use the inspiration and motivation of the Olympics to increase the range of opportunities available in the North East."