TENNIS fans in Ferryhill are being urged to support plans to improve facilities for the sport in the town.

John Forster, a member of Sedgefield Tennis Club, has approached Ferryhill Town Council with an idea to upgrade the courts in Dean Bank Park, which are overgrown and in disrepair.

Mr Forster said: "The tennis club in Sedgefield is about six miles away, but not everybody in Ferryhill is able to get there. I wouldn't say tennis is a massively popular sport outside of the Wimbledon fortnight, but most towns do have some tennis facilities.

"Ferryhill's are very poor. There are overgrown bushes, vandalised fences and moss growing on the surface."

Jamie Corrigan, executive officer at Ferryhill Town Council, said it might be possible to obtain grants to improve the tennis courts if residents gave their backing.

He said: "The town council have asked me to try and work in partnership with Mr Forster to see if we can improve the facilities. But the only way we are going to get any funds to improve the courts is if there is a demand there.

"What we want to know is are there any people who would be interested in working with Mr Forster and the town council to develop the tennis facilities in town."

To support the proposal, contact Mr Corrigan on (01740) 652157.