DARWEN MP Janet Anderson has called for equality in sport after claiming that women players at Wimbledon lose out to the men in prize money.

Mrs Anderson told the Commons that 30 years on from the introduction of the Equal Pay Act by a Labour Government, the winner of the Wimbledon women's singles would still receive £30,000 less than the winner of the men's.

"Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam competition in which that happens," she said.

She urged support for the Sports Secretary in her efforts to persuade the Lawn Tennis Association to "put that inequality right".

Mrs Anderson's comments came during a debate on the equal pay campaign which was backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

He said: "I was somewhat coy about it as I did not realise that the Secretary of State had pronounced on the matter already. Therefore, I am happy to be bolder, to welcome what she said, and to endorse it fully."

The campaign to secure equal prize money is led by Venus Williams, the reigning Wimbledon champion.

Currently women earn less cash on the grounds that they play shorter matches and are more likely to increase their earnings by competing in doubles competitions.