BOWERHAM Tennis Club has won a lottery grant of almost £5,000 to boost its attempts to get more people playing the game.

The cash from the 'Awards for All' sports organisation will help the club to form links with local schools, youth clubs and individuals to offer subsidised coaching and even the loan of equipment to 'taste' the game for themselves, according to club secretary Sue Greenwood.

She told the Citizen: "Our club is keen to encourage more people to take up tennis and give them the skills and confidence they need to get the most out of the game.

"Children and young people will benefit most from this award but we also want to encourage adults to have a go at tennis."

The club is now laying out its strategy ready for the project to start next spring.