Tennis courts at Wickford Tennis Club are among 5,000 throughout Britain to be opened to the public, free of charge, on Saturday, May 1, as part of Play Tennis 99, Britain's largest annual promotion of tennis.

Play Tennis 99 is organised by the Lawn Tennis Association to give people of all ages and abilities the chance to enjoy the game in a relaxed atmosphere with professional coaches on hand to offer advice and encouragement.

Wickford's event is being organised by Club Captain Stewart Clark and there will be lots on offer.

As well as free coaching and competitions for adults and children, there will also be a radar gun to see if there are any budding Greg Rusedski's and a raffle (drawn on the day) with a first prize of a new Dunlop tennis racket.

The day will run from 10am until 4pm. There will also be tennis rackets available to borrow, if people don't have their own.

Wickford Tennis Club is in Swan Lake, Wickford (behind Kent Elms Citron car showroom) and further information is available from Stewart Clark on 01268 472374 or 0171 306 4571.

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