Based at the leisure centre, the six courts were made possible due to a £300,000 grant from the National Lottery in a bid to bring the traditional British summer sport to the town.

The courts will be open to all members of the community all year round, with some of the first lucky players to try the facilities were children from Middlefield Community Primary School.

Middlefield teaching assistants Emma Rochford, Jo Page and Sue Bentley congratulated Huntingdonshire District Council on the new tennis courts, saying that they were "much needed and an amenity."

And nine-year-old Sophie Tonks agreed and said: "I think these courts are really good. I've learned loads of shots like backhand, forehand and forehand volley."

Robert Willard, also nine, who is in the same class as Sophie, added: "It's a really fun sport, the coach is really good. I really want to do tennis when I'm older."

As well as public hire and PE lessons, the tennis courts will hold a variety of adult sessions on weekday mornings with head coach Marceline Winlock.

South African born Mr Winlock, who will be teaching youngsters from local schools how to play, said: "I have played in the British circuit in 1991 and we reached semi-finals in Bournemouth.

"I have coached in America and in England for 12 months and I really hope in the future some of our more competitive players can move on to bigger and better things.
"I feel fantastic. This is a brilliant facility. There are lots of tennis courts for everyone to enjoy and this is a purely community place."

Disabled people are also encouraged to use the courts as the facility was designed to ensure easy wheelchair access.
Cllr Doug Dew, Cabinet member for leisure centres, said: "These are excellent facilities which will help players of all ages to acquire, develop and improve their tennis skills. We look forward to discovering the next British Wimbledon champion on our doorstep."

>> For more information about the public tennis courts at St Neots Leisure Centre call 01480 388700 or visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/leisurecentres