An EU court has ruled that the card game bridge should not be considered a 'sport' for tax purposes.

The decision comes following a legal dispute brought forward by the English Bridge Union.

The union argues that entry fees for its duplicate bridge tournaments should be exempt from VAT under EU laws.

It suggested bridge has a significant mental element and is practiced competitively, and therefore should be considered a sport.

The European Court of Justice has now ruled that bridge shouldn't be considered a sport under EU tax rules.

Judges stressed their job was not to determine the meaning of 'sport' generally, but simply its meaning under EU legislation.

They ruled that a sport is considered to be activities involving a "not negligible physical element" - and therefore bridge is not covered.

The EBU said it was 'disappointed' and 'surprised' by the decision, but added: "The Court did, however, leave open the opportunity for individual states to exempt bridge from VAT by recognising it as a ‘cultural service’."