A CLUB is enjoying one of the best year's in its history less than three years after vandals nearly forced it to close.

Bishop Auckland Tennis Club has the strongest membership it has had in more than 50 years and a crop of talented youngsters.

Coach Keith Greenwell said the success of the club is an astonishing turn-around.

The pavilion of the club, which uses Wear Valley District Council 's courts at the town recreation ground, was destroyed in an arson attack in October 2000.

Mr Greenwell said: "That could well have been the final nail in the coffin. Vandals used to target the courts, pavilion and cars parked nearby.

"Instead of letting the club close, local people rallied around and parents didn't want to lose it so they became very supportive. Insurance paid for the hall to be rebuilt and we've gone from strength to strength since then."

The club now has 40 senior and 80 junior players and a waiting list of youngsters wanting to join.

Among the rising stars are siblings Godfrey, Grace and Anna Nyamugunduru, aged ten, nine and eight, Stephen Hart, ten, and 15 year-old Helen Harnby.