Two more sets of tennis courts in East Lancashire have been refurbished, as the penultimate tennis major of the year, Wimbledon, gets underway.

The upgraded sporting arenas are at Rawtenstall's Whitaker Park and Bacup's Stubbylee Park.

They improvements have been paid for by the first phase of a £30 million nationwide programme of investment by the Lawn Tennis Association and the government.

This project has meant 1,000 public tennis courts have been refurbished in the run-up to the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Club.

Two courts have been refurbished at Whitaker Park and three at Stubbylee Park, to provide improved facilities for people to take their racquets and balls down to.

Players have the option to buy an annual household pass for the for £60 or 'Pay as you go' for £6 per hour to secure online bookings.

Coaching and free park tennis are also available.

The same scheme has already refurbished tennis courts at Burnley's Scott Park, Ightenhill Park and Queen’s Park; Padiham's Park Road Memorial Park; and Accrington's Oakhill Park.

Rossendale and Darwen Conservative MP Jake Berry said: “I welcome this investment from the Conservative Government to upgrade the tennis courts at Stubbylee Park and Whitaker Park.

"Funding for grassroots sports is essential to get people active as part of our priority to cut NHS waiting lists.

“Improving access to sports facilities is a central part of our commitment to levelling up in every part of the country.

"I look forward to visiting the new facilities very soon and I encourage as everyone to utilise the new courts and book using the Lawn Tennis Association’s new online booking system.”

Rossendale Borough Council, Parkwood Tennis and Rossendale Leisure Trust were also involved in the court refurbishments at Whitaker and Stubbylee Parks.

This year's Wimbledon Championships run until July 16.