Following last year's highly successful event, Skipton Building Society and OHS, the Bradford based occupational health and safety consultants, will again sponsor the Ilkley Open Tennis Tournament. This year is the 105th tournament and it will run from Saturday, July 28 to Saturday, August 5,at the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.

The event will welcome local celebrity Liz Green and possibly Roscoe Tanner. Roscoe Tanner, an ex-professional tennis player, is a name that will be familiar to followers of tennis over the years. Tanner is bringing a squad of American players over this summer to take part in some UK tournaments, and has hinted that he may even take part himself.

BBC Radio Leeds presenter Liz Green will present the prizes on finals day.

The event is recognised as one of the top tennis tournaments in the north and it attracts top players from all over the country for the Girobank tour events and the various junior categories. Tim Henman was an under 18 winner at Ilkley not so long ago and the event is regarded as a springboard for the emerging British talent.

Billy Kerr, General Manager at Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club said: "We are delighted that Skipton Building Society and OHS have once again pledged their support. Their involvement is greatly appreciated and we are able to look forward to another great event this year."

Andrew Munro, Area Manager at the Skipton Building Societys Ilkley branch added: "Skipton Building Society is proud to sponsor this local event as it introduces some great new talent to the game. As with every year, last year's event was a huge success and no doubt this year will be no exception."

Martin Penny, Managing Director of OHS Ltd, said: "We are delighted to continue our ongoing relationship with Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, and in particular our support of the Ilkley Tennis Tournament which continues to be one of the top grass court events in the country."

This year's tournament will incorporate the Girobank Tour event, which attracts many highly ranked British players as they compete to attain valuable ranking points. There is also a full programme of junior events

bringing the cream of junior British players to the area. The event is open to the public and the chance to see some top tennis action in Ilkley should not be missed.

Details of the event will be published locally in mid July, but anyone interested in attending the tournament will be pleased to know that there will be no entry charge. Skipton Building Society will also publish the results throughout the tournament week.

You can obtain these via their website on www.skipton.co.uk.