DARWEN Tennis Club wants to get the town’s children more interested in the sport after a £60,000 refurbishment.

Members of the club in Sunnyhurst Lane are getting into the spirit for Wimbledon following the revamp of two courts.

The shale courts, which have been installed with synthetic grass surfaces for all-weather purposes, will be officially opened by town mayor Coun Paul Browne later this month.

The project has been partly funded by Blackburn with Darwen Council and by Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services.

Darwen Neighbourhood Board and Darwen Trust funds also donated cash.

Janet Aspin, junior co-ordin-ator at the club said: “The club will be able to offer almost year- round tennis, competition, exercise and enjoyment to many more people of all ages.

"We have been working in schools, both secondary and primary, for two years and are developing a team of coaches.

“Many more junior members will be able to play as the courts can be used more intensively.

"This in turn will enhance general membership and also keep the club as a social focal point in the community.”

The club was originally formed in 1924 as Sunnyhurst Tennis Club.

In 1933 it became known as Lynwood United Methodist Tennis Club but reverted to being Sunnyhurst in 1946 following a request from the church as they felt the link between club and church had become too slight.

In 1948, the Darwen Tennis tournament was revived and by 1950 it had become the Darwen Tennis Club.

Cath Hare, Biffaward assistant programme manager said: “Biffaward is delighted to support this project.

“Darwen Tennis Club is providing a great opportunity for the whole community to enjoy the new facilities that are now in place at the club.”