BUDDING tennis stars from across the county have the opportunity learn to play the sport from the age of four years old upwards.

Tennis for Kids was launched in 2016 to capitalise on Great Britain’s achievement of winning the Davis Cup for the first time since 1937 and to try and inspire the next generation to take up the great game of tennis.

Now in its third year, Tennis for Kids is going bigger and better with an aim to introduce even more children to the sport.

Hereford, Squash Tennis & Racketball Centre; Madley Tennis Club; Eardisley Tennis Club; Ledbury Lawn Tennis Club; and Kington Tennis Club are all taking part in the initiative over the coming months.

The Tennis for Kids courses are for children between four and 11 year-olds (age limits vary between centres). The cost of the course is £25 and includes six coaching sessions, a brand-new Babolat racket, tennis balls and a personalised tennis shirt.

Sessions will take place at Hereford, Squash Tennis & Racketball Centre for ages four to seven on Saturdays starting April 21 between 10am and 11am and for children between eight and 11 years old between 11am and noon and for ages four to six years old on Mondays between 3.45pm and 4.45pm (starting April 23).

At Madley Tennis Club sessions will be on Wednesdays (starting April 25) for children aged four to seven between 4pm and 5pm and on Thursdays (starting April 26) for children aged seven to 10 years old between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

Eardisley Tennis Club will be holding their sessions on Tuesdays (starting June 5) for children aged between five and seven between 6pm and 7pm.

Ledbury Lawn Tennis Club's sessions will be on Fridays (starting April 27) for children aged six to eight between 4pm and 5pm.

Kington Tennis Club will be running their six-week courses starting on 23 April at 5pm at the outdoor tennis courts at Lady Hawkins’.

The courses in Kington will be delivered by Steve Hodges, a volunteer tennis coach who has been part of the LTA campaign since 2016 and who is delighted to have been selected to be one of the national coaches.

Hodges was put through his paces last month in on-court training sessions by former British Number one, Annabel Croft, and the LTA coaching team.

“I’m really excited to be involved with Tennis for Kids for a third year and think it’s a great opportunity to get new young players into the sport. Places are limited, so please book early,” said Hodges.

To register your interest, please visit www.tennisforkids.co.uk