TENNIS players have asked a council for financial help.

Branksome Tennis Club applied to Darlington Borough Council for £1,025 to establish a tennis club at Branksome School for pupils, ex-pupils and other community members.

Although the Branksome club would be located on the school site, it would not have any involvement in the running of the tennis club, and it is intended that the club would hire the courts directly from the school.

Once the club is operational, court fees are expected to be about £1.50 an hour.

There are no recreational facilities on the Branksome estate, and the formation of the club would provide opportunities for the community to use facilities after school hours.

The money would be spent on buying posts, nets, racquets and balls, as well as paying for coaching fees. Darlington council cabinet members will be asked to consider the request at a meeting today.