Ledbury Tennis Club has decided to spend part of a surprise windfall on two memorial benches dedicated to its benefactor.

The club was left £5,000 by sports lover Tommy Harrison, of Brook Farm, Little Marcle, when he died on May 9 last year, at the age of 83.

The bequest came as a surprise, as few people at the club could put a face to the man who cared so much for sport in the town.

Now the pensioner's generosity is to be commemorated in time for the start of the tennis season in May, with two memorial benches bearing plaques. If all goes to plan, the benches will be in place in time to mark the one-year anniversary of Mr Harrison's death.

Members decided at the club's annual meeting that the benches should be placed either side of the pavilion, under cover, to protect them from the elements.

Committee member Barbara Onions said: "Only one member at the AGM, Margaret Bradstock, knew Mr Harrison, but everyone praised his generosity. We're very glad to have the money."

The cost of the benches has still to be investigated but the plan is for the club to set aside the rest of the windfall for future projects, including the resurfacing of the courts and possibility installing a practice wall.

As well as the tennis club, which leases the ground for its courts form the Biddulph estate, Mr Harrison also left £5,000 each to Ledbury Town Football Club, the cricket club and rugby club.

The football club has announced likely pitch improvements, the rugby club said it would probably extend its kitchen area for community use while the cricket club said the money would be used for kit, nets and general ground improvements.