A TENNIS club is ready for players to take to the court after being served with a council grant.

Bedale Tennis Club used the £5,000 cash from Hambleton District Council’s ‘Making a Difference Awards’ towards the resurfacing of its courts and installation of floodlights.

“We are a very active club with over 50 members ranging from five years to 84 but our three courts had reached the stage where they were becoming slippery and the surface starting to break up,” said Althea Draper, chair of Bedale Tennis Club.

“We also like to play all year round but during the winter months have to stop by about 3pm and many competitions and social activities have to stop in the autumn. We want to increase our membership especially our junior section and also increase coaching and competitive tennis, resurfacing and installing lights will enable us to do just that.”

Councillor Bridget Fortune, portfolio holder for leisure, added: “It is a very friendly club and we hope these improvements will benefit Bedale town and the surrounding areas by providing increased opportunities to play tennis, meet socially and have fun, resulting in improved health and wellbeing for members of the community of all ages. Visitors to the area will also benefit from the opportunity to pay and play.” The grant meets three out of four of the council’s priorities: enhancing health and wellbeing, driving economy and providing a special place to live. The cost of the project was £65,000.