A HEALTH club is hoping for a net gain after converting its football pitches into tennis courts.

Bannatyne's Health Club, in the Belmont area of Durham City, has invested £10,000 to change its five-a-side courts into all-weather floodlit courts.

The club plans to introduce tennis competitions for established players and coaching for beginners, as well as making the courts available to members from 8am to 10pm.

The club, which opened in 1998 and has more than 2,500 members, also plans to invest £5,000 in replacing the flooring of one of its main squash courts.

General manager Malcolm Dickenson said: "The conversion from football to tennis has already proven successful, because the courts are in use day and night, whatever the weather.

"The idea of introducing tennis courts has always been very popular with our members."

He added: "We aim to offer as wide a selection of fitness facilities as possible to help our members live healthy lifestyles."