ABOUT 130 budding tennis stars will relive the drama and excitement of Wimbledon when they take part in a mini-festival next week.

Millions of sports fans were gripped by British No 1 player Tim Henman's bid to lift the elusive Wimbledon men's singles trophy recently.

Now developers of the game are hoping to encourage stars of the future with coaching for eight to 11-year-old children organised through the Wear Valley School Sport Co-ordinator programme.

Lessons in mini-tennis will be given at Wolsingham School and Community College on Monday, and Bishop Auckland Tennis Club on Tuesday.

Mini-tennis recently replaced short tennis as a game for youngsters. It is played on a smaller court with low compression balls. The coaching will be organised by a team of junior sports leaders from the school.

Taking part on Monday will be pupils from Crook, Hamsterley, Witton-le-Wear, Sunnybrown, St Cuthbert's RC, Crook Hartside, Peases West, Stanley Crook, Tow Law Millennium, Blessed John Duckett RC, Wearhead and Rookhope primary schools.

St Wilfrid's RC, Copeland Road, Coundon St Joseph's RC, St Helen Auckland, St Anne's and St Chad's RC will play on Tuesday.

The sport co-ordinator programme is a partnership between Durham County Council and Wear Valley District Council. It is managed by the county council's PE and sport development unit and sponsored by Northern Electric and Gas.