ROGER Draper, Chief Executive of the Lawn Tennis Association visited Tilery Primary School in Stockton recently.

Draper was on Teesside for the NPL Doubles Tennis Finals which took place at David Lloyds in Stockton.

The visit, organised in conjunction with North Tees PCT, one of the main sponsors of the event, was to help promote the sport locally and to encourage and increase physical activity amongst youngsters in the Stockton area.

Draper visited the school along with Daniel Kiernan, former Great Britain number one doubles player, plus Dr Toks Sangowawa, Director of Public Health in Stockton and Mike Dixon the organiser of the NPL tournament.

It was during this visit that he served up his Wimbledon surprise and told pupils that he was going to send up tickets for this year's tournament so that they could see some of the world stars of tennis play. A group of 28 children will be selected on merit by school staff and will be given this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Dr Toks Sangowawa, Director of Public Health for Stockton on Tees commented: "Roger Draper got the message across to the pupils that tennis is a sport that anyone can play and helped to break down some of the barriers that surround it, as well as his generous offer of Wimbledon tickets he is also sending the school some mini tennis equipment to encourage them to play in school."