A club is enjoying one of the best year's in its history - less than three years after vandals nearly forced it to close.

Bishop Auckland Tennis Club has its strongest membership in more than 50 years and a crop of talented youngsters.

Coach Keith Greenwell said its success was an astonishing turnaround.

The pavilion of the club, which uses Wear Valley District Council's courts at the town recreation ground, was destroyed in an arson attack in October 2000.

Mr Greenwell said: "Vandals used to target the courts, pavilion and cars parked nearby, and players even had their equipment stolen while they were on court.

"Instead of letting the club close, local people rallied around and parents did not want to lose it, so they became very supportive. Insurance paid for the hall to be rebuilt and we have gone from strength to strength since then.

"Now the mood is fantastic and we are a popular club with some very good tennis players."

The club now has 40 senior and 80 junior players and a waiting list of youngsters wanting to join.

Among the rising stars are siblings Godfrey, Grace and Anna Nyamugunduru, aged ten, nine and eight, Stephen Hart, aged ten, who has won several tournaments, and 15-year-old Helen Harnby, who already plays for the senior team.