A bridge club in Medway is backing a legal attempt to have the game recognised as a sport.

The English Bridge Union has launched a judicial review into a decision by Sport England not to classify the card game because is was not aimed at improving physical fitness and wellbeing.

Derek Brighton, 73, secretary of the Rochester-based Medway Towns Bridge Club, said the legal challenge was being closely followed by many of his 50 members.

Rebutting the Sport England argument, he insisted: “It is a mind sport and a mental exercise. It is an issue of interest for several members of the club.”

He believed claims that the attempt to have bridge seen as a sport was primarily for financial gain was a “red herring” and he thought it was more about the principle.

The popular club regularly hosts competitions at its City Way base as well as competing in the ones held by the Union when possible.

Mr Brighton said: “The opposition’s argument is that it’s not a physical sport but a mental one, it is a very sociable game and has positive knock on effects to be in the company of others.

“It keeps the brain active and reduces the risk of dementia, which is very important nowadays.”

The club which has won a number of trophies and set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in December.

Whether or not it is a sport, there’s no questioning the competitive nature of the game: in the past month of the the world’s top players have been caught in a cheating scandal, allegedly devising a secret code to gain an advantage over opponents.

Should bridge be a sport? Email your views to medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk

For more information about the Medway club visit www.bridgewebs.com/medwaytowns/