LEIGH SCHOOLS could produce the next Boris Becker or Steffi Graff after thousands of pounds have been pumped into a new tennis programme.

Tyldesley Tennis Club in conjunction with Wigan Council have received £3,415 from the Sport England Millennium awards for all.

The club's honorary secretary John Turner said the award will help bring sport into schools.

"With the money we intend to start short tennis clubs in schools in after school clubs. This will take place in six local primary schools; Chow Bent, Garrett Hall, Tyldesley, Hindsford CE Primary, Parklee, Sacred Heart and Atherton St Philips.

"We have also ordered short tennis equipment for schools."

Teachers can also polish up their racket skills with in-service training to enable them to run the clubs, and the award will foot the bill for coaching as well.

And it could be game, set and match for all concerned as Mr Turner said the after school clubs may attract newcomers to Tyldesley Tennis Club.

"The tennis club should benefit because the players coming out of the after school clubs can carry on at our club."

Parklee Primary is just one of the schools to benefit from the award and Headteacher Sally Roy said the scheme was "brilliant".

"We started our after school tennis club before the summer holidays. We teach early ball skills, racquet skills and early rules to short tennis which is tennis on a reduced court. In short tennis children play with softer balls and bigger racquets, plus there aren't as many rules to learn."

About 30 Parklee pupils are gaining more tennis experience through the club and money from the award has paid for extra sports equipment for the school.

"Its great for the children because they're not reliant on parents to take them to different venues. The school has received extra equipment like racquets, balls and nets," added Mrs Roy.

"Keith Eckersall from Wigan council has done staff training and has been in PE lessons to do some follow up. The children also went to an open day at Tyldesley Tennis Club and they were made very welcome."

Keith Eckersall, tennis development officer for Wigan Council hopes the award cultivates enthusiasm for the game.

"The general aim is to create interest in tennis and provide some sort of follow on activity either at school or at local tennis clubs."