A firm is being sued after a Rugby World Cup tickets deal went sour.

Wanborough-based Keith Carby wants £35,840 plus interest from Coventry company The Sporting Club (UK) Ltd. He says this is the sum owing from an £81,400 loan he made to the firm.

The deal, last July, allegedly involved Mr Carby buying tickets on The Sporting Club's behalf.

The club, referred to in court papers as the defendant, was then to sell the tickets, repaying Mr Carby, referred to as the claimant, in installments and with interest.

Mr Carby's High Court writ says in part: "It was agreed between the claimant and the defendant that the claimant would lend the defendant £81,400 by way of payments for tickets for the Rugby World Cup.

"It was further agreed that interest would be payable on the said loan by the defendant at the rate of 10 per cent to 8 November 1999."

The writ also points out that the loan and interest would be payable in installments from time to time forwarded by the claimant to the defendant.

It says the balance should be cleared by 8 November, 1999, at the latest. The writ claims five payments were made between September 28 and December 1 last year. However, it adds, these totalled only £53,700.

The document notes: "Despite repeated demands, the defendant has failed or neglected to pay the balance due to the claimant in respect of the said loan by 8 November 1999 or at all."

The Sporting Club (UK) Ltd, based at Coventry's STL Business Centre, is described in the court document as a company promoting and selling tickets and hospitality packages related to sporting events.

November 8 last year was the Monday following the Rugby World Cup final. Mr Carby could not be contacted for comment, and The Sporting Club (UK) Ltd declined to say anything about the legal action.