CHILDREN from the St Austell area have enjoyed their first taste of playing at a tennis club.

St Austell Tennis Club hosted the Cornwall School Games Mid-Cornwall Tennis Qualifiers which saw more than 30 children from four primary schools - St Mewan, Mount Charles, Bishop Bronescombe and Pondhu - take to the courts to play doubles, Pondhu emerging as the winners.

“The main aim was to encourage more children to take part in tennis and improve their confidence and ability within the sport,” said teacher Matt Boynton, who organised the event.

“A lot of the children had never been to a tennis club before, or played on proper courts, so it was a fantastic opportunity for them.”

The club, on Tregorrick Road beside St Austell Rugby Club, has doubled its membership in recent years and - although it has several outstanding young players - it is eager to attract more young people.

Club chair Rachel Smith said: “It was great to see our local primary schools at St Austell Tennis Club. Watching the children encourage each other, make new friends and learn a new sport was truly heart-warming.”

The club is preparing for an open day on Sunday, June 30.