Wyndham Park Tennis has been awarded the Lincolnshire Lawn Tennis Association Park of the Year crown

Work to transform tennis courts in Grantham into a superb community space has been recognised with the accolade of a county award.

Wyndham Park Tennis has been awarded the Lincolnshire Lawn Tennis Association Park of the Year crown.

They now move through to the regional awards after the success of a regeneration project.

Over past years, the tennis courts were the embarrassment of the park as they had become so bad that they were unsafe and unplayable.

However, in 2023, due to the confidence from the LTA in Grantham Tennis Club to deliver, investment was given from the UK Government and the LTA Tennis Foundation's Park Tennis Project.

South Kesteven District Council refurbished Wyndham Park tennis courts and Fosse Contracts Ltd provided two tarmac surfaces that now look as smart as the rest of the park.

Coun Paul Stokes, deputy leader and cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "It's fantastic to see such wonderful facilities recognised here in Wyndham Park.

"Public tennis courts are essential in making the sport accessible to all and I'm delighted that we're able to offer such a great place for people of all ages and abilities to get active and enjoy the game.

"We're extremely grateful to the LTA for helping to create this superb community space and to Grantham Tennis Club for their outstanding management over the past year."

South Kesteven District Council continue to own the courts and Grantham Tennis Club manage them, including the maintenance, to provide community play and coaching ensuring that the courts are available for many years to come.

Since opening the courts there have been more than 400 players signed up to book.

With its commitment to ensuring that tennis can be reached by as many people as possible, there are two hours of free play every day that can be booked.

Grantham Tennis Club also changes the times of free play to offer this facility to a wider audience.

In May, the club - with its group of six volunteer Tennis Park Activators - set up free sessions every Sunday morning from 10-11am.

They have seen 179 different new players since they started with the maximum number who turned up one week being 25.

The club is looking to double its number of activators for the next year.

The club's successful Active@65 project saw a total of 49 new players over the 12-week course use the park courts for their second free social session weekly on Thursday mornings.

The sessions will be starting up again in March. Contact Dale, who leads the project, at community@granthamtennisclub.co.uk or 01476 591391 for further information.

Positive Futures - who use sport and physical activity to engage with young people in deprived communities - have extended their partnership with Grantham Tennis Club and hold weekly free sessions during the summer months.

The club is looking this year to offer more playing and coaching opportunities, including all ages, abilities and disabilities and will use the park courts to show how everyone can come and enjoy playing tennis.