Public tennis courts in six parks across Stoke-on-Trent have now opened following a major investment programme which aimed to serve up improvements to local facilities.

In total, four courts have been renovated in Hanley Park; three courts in both Bucknall Park and Queen's Park, Longton; and two courts each in Burslem Park; Mount Pleasant Park, Fenton; and Tunstall Park.

To celebrate, a family fun session is being held at Hanley Park on Saturday 20 July, 4pm to 6pm. This is free to attend, for all ages and abilities and equipment will be provided. Book here.

Official opening at Hanley Park with the Lord Mayor, councillor Lyn Sharpe, council and leader Jane Ashworth and pupils from St Mark's Primary School (SOT CC).

Cllr Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "This investment is the biggest of its kind in our park courts in at least a generation. As an avid low league tennis player in my spare time I can't wait to get playing on the courts.

"We now have fantastic new facilities that will be managed and invested in for years to come and hopefully will inspire young people in our city to take up the sport and get active."

The improvements come as part of the Park Tennis Project, a nationwide investment by the LTA Tennis Foundation, to refurbish public tennis courts and open the sport to many more people. 

Pupils from St Mark's Primary School have a tennis lesson from We Do Tennis (SOT CC).

The £256,000 investment in the six parks across Stoke-on-Trent has seen replacement playing surfaces, the repainting of courts, new fencing and the installation of nets, new gates and booking systems to increase participation. 

Alongside the fresher facilities, a new, easy-to-use booking system will be in place for each of the parks helping to guarantee availability, so residents can pay in advance to book their court times.  

Tennis courts across Stoke-on-Trent can be booked here.

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