City of London is considering Hampstead Heath as location to open up elitist sport to the public

The City of London is drawing up plans for London鈥檚 first public croquet lawn, which could open on Hampstead Heath this summer.

The local authority wants to bring the traditional sport to the public, with balls and mallets for hire in the north London park.

Interest in the sport, normally associated with the wealthy and old, soared after John Prescott was pictured playing it in the national press.

Managers of the heath said various locations were being considered for the lawn, although nothing was 鈥渟et in stone鈥�.