TENNIS fans can’t watch Andy Murray’s Wimbledon adventures on a big screen this year after no sponsors came forward to pay the costs.

For the past two years, Bournemouth Council has arranged for a screen in the Lower Gardens to show Wimbledon and a mix of fashion shows, opera, digital art, and films like Shrek and The Wizard of Oz.

The screen proved a popular attraction on sunny days with dozens of people watching on an array of deck chairs – the tourism team said it produced an “electric atmosphere.”

However this year, Helen Wildman, events manager at Bournemouth Council, said no sponsors came forward to pay the costs.

The screen was set up by Big Bear Events, based in Thrush Road, Poole.

Manager Paul Hingston said: “It’s just the state of the economy. We tried a number of companies and one was very close but they didn’t take it. In the past it’s been easier, but this year it’s been really difficult.”

Was the possibility of the council paying discussed? “Yes but government cut backs mean budgets are very tight and it was not an option.”

Andrew Woodland, chairman of the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association, said: “I think losing anything from the Lower Gardens is disappointing but the council has to balance its books.

“If we could always guarantee Murray would make it through the first week it would be advantageous and obviously this week has been a miss with the weather.”

Cllr Anne Rey, leader of the Independent group, said: “I think it’s a shame but I suppose what the events and tourism team has done is prioritise spending.”

Matt Coombes, manager of Bournemouth Gardens Tennis Centre, said: “People do get the bug during Wimbledon and with us being the nearest centre they would generally come to us. It was pretty good to have.”