An MP was given almost £18,000 worth of free tickets to football, cricket and tennis matches in just over a year, it has been revealed.

John Bercow, the speaker of the house and MP for Buckingham – which includes Princes Risborough – was lavished with gifts of tickets to the theatre and sports matches, according to the latest register of MPs financial interests, which was published recently.

A total of £2,475-worth of free tickets was given to the football fan by Arsenal Football Club for various matches and he was also presented with two tickets for the royal box at the Wimbledon championships on July 13 this year – valued at a staggering £8,590.

Norwich City Football Club also gave him two tickets to a football match and associated hospitality – valued at more than £511 – and Lancashire County Cricket Club also offered a test match ticket on August 5 for £420.

The politician also enjoyed a trip to the private sporting club The Queen's Club in West Kensington, for the Aegon Championships on June 25 and the Association of Tennis Professionals offered two tickets to attend the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday, November 17.

Earlier this year, he also travelled to the Vitality Stadium to attend an AFC Bournemouth match with two tickets and hospitality valued at £300.

In total, the MP was given £17,980.13 worth of free tickets to different sports and entertainment events.

Gleneagles Hotels Ltd also gave him and a member of staff one night’s accommodation and hospitality valued at £2,815 while he carried out a visit in his capacity as speaker.

A spokesman for Mr Bercow said: “It is no secret that Mr Bercow is a sports fan, and watches matches live whenever he has the opportunity. Any hospitality he receives is declared, in full and on time, on the Register of Members’ Interests in strict accordance with the rules.”

The list also includes £20,000 of donations from four different donors – including Sir David Garrard and Lord Michael Levy – to help with his campaign for re-election in April.