As the school holidays approach, so does the junior tennis tournament season, and the first major event in the county is the Save & Prosper Essex Open, which is being held from August 2 to 7.

Last year the event attracted an unprecedented 370 competitors, ranging from national standard to local 'fun' players.

It is being held at Gidea Park Tennis Club and nearby Raphael's Park, and benefits from providing the same surface as the National Junior Championships of Great Britain, which are being held the following week.

There are singles and doubles events for age groups under 10 through to under 21.

Anyone interested in playing can telephone Harry Brickwood on 01268 743838 and entries close next weekend.

Clearview Tennis Centre is holding several Summer Camps over the coming months. The one day events are to be held on July 27 and 28, and August 9, 10 and 19.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend, and children resident in Brentwood will get special rates.

Also available for Brentwood children is the free use of courts during the school summer holiday. For information contact the Centre on 01277 811569.

Clearview Men's Third Team meanwhile defeated Whitehall IIs in the Essex League at the weekend.

They won 4-2 overall with wins for Paul Ivimy, 6-4 7-5, Gary Lewis 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, and John Cook 6-0, 6-0.

The Essex Senior teams are back in action next week in the National Inter County Championships.

The men are at Eastbourne in group one, having had successive promotions from group three.

Captain John Marnoch has selected a blend of youth and experience, by calling on recent County Colour recipients, Michael Ellames, Simon Harston and Richard Bar ham.

Joining them are the more experienced Danny Ward, Matthew Coombs, Keith Tomlin and Vince Ranson.

The ladies are in group two at Cromer, and are represented by Mary Collins, Amanda Janes, Caroline Janes, Amanda Brown, Zoe Mellis, Mandy Wainwright, Lara Naqushbandi, and Sophie Cockell.

Team Captain Chris Jolly from Cranston Park is confident that the team will be challenging for the promotion spot.

Fifty-three and still going strong . . Save & Prosper Tournament Referee Gordon Armstrong (left) is pictured with Steve Sampson of the sponsors, Save & Prosper to help launch the 53rd Essex Open Tournament.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.