IT’S game, set and match to eight-year-old Matthew Telford, after the sport-mad youngster won a prestigious tennis tournament.

The schoolboy from Consett, County Durham, scooped the Pontelands Annual Tennis Open, contested by more than 300 hopefuls, after winning all six of his matches.

Geoffrey Telford, Matthew’s father, said: "I would say it, but he’s got a lot of potential."

Matthew first picked up a racquet at Leisureworks’ Belle Vue leisure centre, in Consett, just two years ago.

Coach Michael Hume said: "It is a fantastic achievement for Matthew. It’s great to see a youngster who started in the tennis development scheme progress to a level where, not only can he play competitively, but also win.

"This is exactly why the scheme is set up - to give every child in the area a chance to get a racquet in their hand and have a go, then feed into the local clubs where they can progress to the next level."

Anyone interested in taking part in the scheme can call Michael Hume on 01207-218-873.