A FUTURE Andy Murray or Serena Williams could be served up by Burnley Tennis Club.

Lawn Tennis Association officials have officially declared the Belvedere Road club ‘ace’ after recognising the efforts made by coaches to encourage youngsters to pick up a racquet.

Just in time for Wimbledon week, the club has been awarded ‘Beacon’ status by the LTA and the Aegon parks tennis programme.

Hundreds of schoolchildren across the borough have been given a taste of the game, on one of the six courts there.

And to celebrate the beacon award youngsters from five primary schools were treated to a tennis-themed fun day.

Iain Taylor, the club’s head coach, said: “A lot of work has gone into improving the club and we are really proud and honoured to received Beacon status.

“As a club we want to keep improving and to encourage more people to become members and I think that receiving this award will only help us to achieve that.”

The club can trace its history back to the 1930s and now three of its courts are floodlit.

Dave Hillier, north west tennis development officer, said the club had teamed up with the town’s schools sports partnership to achieve the distinction.

“Through the hard work of people involved, including Iain Taylor and Anwar Afrasiab, tennis has become a very popular and accessible sport for the people of Burnley and this award is in recognition of their achievements,” he added.

The last East Lancashire player to grace Wimbledon was Hoddlesden’s Mark Schofield, who competed in the junior competition in the early 90s.

He is now performance director at the Ribble Valley Tennis Centre.