Ashfield District Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have announced a partnership to invest in and refurbish public park tennis courts at Sutton Lawn and Huthwaite Welfare Park.

In total, £214,620.55 will be spent across the two tennis venues, including new fencing, access gates, and court resurfacing and colouring.

The council will be investing £55,000 to provide new floodlighting at Sutton Lawn, as part of the Green Ashfield initiative, funded by the £62.6million Towns Fund programme.

This is on top of a investment of £159,620.55 from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation.

The council is also working with Sutton Lawn Tennis Club to upgrade facilities at the park, including the pavilion, to support the club to attract new members.

A range of activities across the park sites will include weekly organised free tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience, where equipment is provided.

Coun Jason Zadrozny, council leader, said: “We know how much residents value access to modern sports pitches, courts, and buildings, so this work will allow more people to enjoy tennis. If we can encourage more people to take up the sport with these upgraded facilities then it’s fantastic. Working with the LTA is bringing much-needed investment, and will support the council’s ongoing commitment to providing quality facilities in our award-winning parks and green spaces.”

Work on sites is expected to start mid-November and are due to be completed in January.