A GRASS court tennis club has become the first in the country to achieve a prestigious accreditation.

Lanchester Lawn Tennis Club has been awarded Tennis and is the only club that operates from grass courts only to achieve this recognition.

The accreditation by the Lawn Tennis Association is designed to be a kite mark of quality across four key areas: child protection, coaching and competition, sports equity and ethics and club management.

It shows parents, schools and the wider community the club is well-managed, provides a quality programme and is child-friendly, safe and equitable.

Club secretary and coach Dennis Laycock: "The club is 98 years old and it’s a great achievement for a small three-court lawn club like ourselves. "Members of the Leisureworks’ team, including community sport coach, Michael Hume and Community network officer, Emma Lloyd, have played an integral part in ensuring the club achieves the award in a short period of time."

The accreditation is expected to increase membership and provide the club with new opportunities to access funding.

Mr Hume said: "It has been a pleasure to work closely with the Lanchester Tennis Club committee over the last three years.

"It’s a great achievement for Leisureworks and the club as it ensures members have access to year-round indoor and outdoor coaching, and has shown the club’s ambition to develop into a great community organisation."

To find out more about what Lanchester Tennis Club offers contact Dennis Laycock on 07960-494-442.

To find out more about tennis development schemes run by Leisureworks contact Michael Hume on (01207) 218 873 or e-mail michael.hume@durham.gov.uk