Burnmoor Ladies Lawn Tennis Club will play in Group D of the Northumberland and Durham League for the first time after ending as champions of Group LE last year when they won all seven matches, writes Malcolm Pratt.

Anne Sowerby, who has been connected with the club since 1980, says that nobody can remember the team playing at such a high standard.

"It is a real achievement, we are all delighted and looking forward to the new season," said Anne who captained the side from 1982 until 2001.

"Helen Fitzakerly captained the team when we won the championship in 2002 and the other players were Joanne Britton, Michelle Meldrum, Tracy Smith, Lindsay Mudd and myself. We played in all seven matches when we met teams from Tynedale, Stocksfield, and elswhere."

The ladies and a mixed team are also in the Sunderland and District League and for the first time last year an under-16 boys' side performed in the Northumberland and Durham League.

"We are all very proud of what we achieved and at the way the club is going forward. There is a lot of interest by both men and ladies and we are pleased that youngsters are also becoming involved," enthused Anne who is chairman and match secretary of the ladies' section.