A WEST Devon tennis club has received a £93,660 financial boost from the National Lottery Sports Fund.

The grant will go towards improving facilities at Tavistock Tennis Club's base at The Meadows, in Plymouth Road.

The work includes the conversion of three public grass courts to all-weather which will be for the joint use of the club, schools and public.

There will also be an extension of the limited pavilion facilities to provide toilets and changing rooms and floodlights for the new courts.

Club chairman Mike Jefferies said the whole project would cost £144,260.

'The club has raised £28,600, West Devon Council is contributing £2,000 and £20,000 is being borrowed from the LTA to complete the amount required,' he said.

'This is the end of three-and-a-half years of planning, much activity and diligent work behind the scenes by the committee and other members — and in particular the preparation of the lottery application.'

He said the club was fortunate in enjoying the support of many people — including John Burnett, MP for West Devon and Torridge, the mayors of Tavistock and West Devon and Euro MP Giles Chichester.

Mr Jefferies also praised the support of club president Norma Woodcock, vice-president Ken Sanders and Tavistock Town and Devon County councillor Roy Cook.

The club — the third largest in Devon — has about 150 senior members and 115 juniors.

Mr Jefferies said he hoped the new development 'would enourage increased membership and enhance the game of tennis in the area'.

'At present there are only three all-weather courts for the 265 members. Increasing the number to six means that Tavistock will have more all-weather courts than any other club in Devon.'

He said members particularly wished to thank the club's landlord, Tavistock Town Council — particularly councillors John Wright, Robin Pike and former councillors Barbara Sherrell and Harry Smith — for their help in making the space available for the development.

The project is expected to be completed before Christmas this year.

'The key individual for the project is club member David Isaac who will oversee the work on a daily basis.'

The club committee and members have expressed their thanks to Mr Jefferies for all the work he has put into leading the planning of this project.

The club is open to anyone in the area and welcomes new members. To join or for further information contact (01822) 614178 or the membership secretary on (01822) 854162.