DURHAM and Cleveland Lawn Tennis Association is launching a project to encourage primary schools in County Durham and Teesside to take up the sport.

It will provide coaching, mini-tennis competitions and specialist coaching for promising youngsters who could join a national squad of potential stars.

It is hoped that more than 15,000 youngsters will take part in the scheme, which has won £5,000 sponsorship from Spring Health Leisure, a health club operator.