FOR the first time in five years Sunderland is set to welcome some of Britain's top tennis talent when the National Premier Indoor tennis finals return to where they first began 13 years ago.

The prestigious tournament, which includes previous participants such as Pat Cash, Jamie Murray and Jeremy Bates, has been held across the country in recent years, but organisers have worked hard to bring it back to the North East with Virgin Active Wearside Club hosting this year's competition, which takes place over five days from April 11.

It is a major coup for the region to bring the event back to where it was first set-up by tournament director Mike Dixon, when eight local clubs battled it out to be crowned champions, and Dixon admits it is a chance for the region to enjoy some top level tennis.

He said: "I started the event here 13 years ago, but after seven years ago we started taking it around the country. It's now it its 13th year so to have it back where it started is absolutely brilliant.

"It was a good decision from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to ask me to bring it back to the North East and hopefully we'll make it a success so we can retain it year after year.

"The only way to see tennis of this calibre is to travel down to Wimbledon or Queens, so it's a big chance for the region to come and watch some high level play.

"It's a big coup to get someone like Dan Evans playing here too. He's hot on everyone's lips after the recent Davis Cup win so it will be great to see a big up and coming name in British tennis here at Wearside."

Now more than a decade after it first began, the tournament has grown immensely and this year's finals will see 14 teams from across the country, including champions Virgin Active Gloucester, battle it out on court.

The crowd will be treated to fast-paced men's doubles games with Dan Evans, ranked No 4 in Britain, a confirmed competitor, while Britain's top junior Liam Broady will also play.

Virgin Active Wearside and Tennis World Middlesbrough will fly the North East flag after progressing through qualifying rounds and racquets manager at Wearside, David Boddy, hopes the tournament will inspire the region's youngsters to get involved in the sport.

He said: "It's not just good for the club here at Wearside, but good for the wider North East as well. It gives people the opportunity to see the standard of the play and to see a network out there which can enable them to play.

"Tennis is a sport you can play for life, whereas other sports you can have a shorter career. It's a great social game, but you need to learn those skills early on and hopefully the event can give youngsters the desire to take up playing."

* Tickets and information for the event are available from Virgin Active Wearside on 0191 5114400 or by contacting Mike Dixon on 07870 778490 or mdixontennis@btinternet.com