SPORTS fans are hoping to net support for a proposed tennis centre of excellence in Haslingden.

People throughout Rossendale are being asked to support the bid for lottery funding for the £1.4 million project.

Over the next few weeks signatures will be collected at sporting venues across the area to show community support for the centre.

Letters have also gone out to schools and community groups inviting them to confirm in writing that they would welcome and use the facility.

The new centre would provide eight outdoor all-weather floodlit tennis courts and a new building with two indoor tennis courts, which will also house changing rooms and a clubhouse.

The development would provide a new home for Rossendale's private Parkwood Tennis Club, which currently uses inadequate facilities at Mount Street, Rawtenstall, near Whitaker Park.

But the tennis centre would also be accessible to the whole community and professional coaching would be available.

Catherine Long, who is co-ordinating the project for Parkwood Tennis Club, said: "There is little tennis provision in Haslingden, or Rossendale and the surrounding area and we believe there is a great demand for quality facilities.

"But we need backing from the community or the lottery bid may not succeed."

The forms are available at the reception desks at Haslingden and Fearns Sports Centres, Ski Rossendale, Haslingden and Whitworth pools and all Valley neighbourhood offices.

It is hoped a bid for funding will be submitted to the Sports Council before the end of February.

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