Brit Olympic badminton hopefuls trade insults on Twitter

London, Feb 13(ANI): Two British badminton hopefuls have been accused of ungentlewomanly conflict after a war of words on Twitter in the run up to the Olympics.

Glaswegian Imogen Bankier, 24, and Bolton-born Jenny Wallwork, 25, are both competing for one mixed doubles spot this summer.

The flare-up started on Wednesday after Bankier watched TV highlights of the English National Championships.

"Just watched the English nationals... why can English people not serve?!" the Daily mail quoted her as tweeting.

She insisted it had been "meant in a light-hearted way - not to offend" after Gabby White, Wallwork's women's doubles partner, called her "sour".

Two days later, Wallwork launched her own attack, making a thinly veiled reference to her rival's injury record.

"So the one with the 'lighthearted banter' is injured AGAIN!

"I'd go for the ropey serve any day ;-) #banter', and 'Could have guessed to be honest, your usually crippled. #weak'," she said

The Scotswoman responded that the meaning of banter was "playful, intelligent, original", adding "calling me a cripple... none of the above. #jog on #bored."

She also warned her rival to not to 'say something you regret', followed by the word 'spite'.

"Slating English players none of the above either. I suggest u keep your 'banter' to yourself or 'jog on' back to Scotland," Wallwork retaliated. (ANI)