New tennis courts are a hit at Hawcoat Park Sports Club's official opening in Barrow

The occasion was marked with a ribbon cutting followed by adult and junior tournaments, all of whom were keen to get out on court.

SWING: Charlie Crellin poised on Hawcoat Park’s newly opened tennis courts

The centre was built thanks to a grant of £68,146 from the FCC Communities Foundation, as well as funding from Sport England, the Sir John Fisher Foundation and Cumbria County Council.

It is made up of six new all-weather courts, with three of the courts also benefitting from the upgrade of the existing floodlights. Hawcoat Park also has three grass courts which have been retained.

AIR: Hughie Ward playing the approach shot on Hawcoat Park's newly opened tennis courts

Keith Allen, director at Hawcoat Park Sports Club said there was a real demand for a new facility in the Barrow area.

The courts will be available to book for people in the area, not just for members, and one initiative includes providing tennis for NHS staff.

SMASH: Rhea Kshetrapal serving on Hawcoat Park’s newly opened tennis courts

"We have also had sponsorship from Bender UK," Mr Allen said.

“Hawcoat Park Sports Club is a community club and the new Tennis Hub provides opportunities for playing tennis for all.

“We are particularly delighted that with the help of Bender UK we can provide a gesture of thanks and our appreciation to all the hard working NHS staff at Furness General Hospital and hopefully provide them with an opportunity to play tennis, and socialise at Hawcoat Park Tennis Hub.

TENNIS: Keith Allen and Paul Burns of Hawcoat Park Sports Club

"This is just the beginning, we are hoping to develop things like disability tennis, tournaments, more coaching, and more opportunities."

Following a surge in membership, tennis fanatics at Hawcoat Park are keen to see a sustained interest in the sport in future now they have the facilities to match their vision.

ACTION: Alex Williams striking true on Hawcoat Park's newly opened tennis courts

Paul Burns, chairman of Hawcoat Park, said: "The more members we get the more likely we are to sustain our future.

"A few years ago we used it as an overflow car park, but now when people come down and see the kids playing they say 'oh that is good, I didn't know you had that' and our head coach Stefan Jones has done a brilliant job with the development."

TEACHING: Head coach Stefan Jones on Hawcoat Park’s newly opened tennis courts

STAR: Leah Santos ready to return on Hawcoat Park's newly opened tennis courts