PLAY Tennis 2000, Britain's biggest-ever free tennis campaign, gets into full swing in Otley at Grove Hill Tennis Club on Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7. Everyone is welcome to come along at the following times: Saturday, May 6, at Grove Hill Tennis Club, 9.30-11.00am, years three-seven; 11.00-12.30, years eight upwards; 3.30-4.30pm, family afternoon. At Prince Henry Grammar School, short tennis, 1.00-2.00pm, reception and year one; 2.00-3.00pm, year two and three. Sunday, May 7, at Grove Hill Tennis Club, adults welcome, 2.00-5.00pm.

Up to 100,000 people are expected to take part in the promotion being staged across the country by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) this summer. Play Tennis 2000 will take place over two weekends, May 7-7 and July 15-16.

"Play Tennis provides a fantastic opportunity for the people of Otley to pick up a racket and have a go", said Georgina Jackson, Play Tennis organiser for Grove Hill Tennis Club. "I hope that the promotion will inspire lots of new players, especially youngsters, to take advantage of a free introduction to the sport", she added.

Play Tennis is designed to capitalise on the interest in the sport generated by Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski at both national and local level. It aims to provide members of the public with a rewarding experience of the game, based on exciting group coaching sessions and free access to local facilities.

One in four Play Tennis 2000 participants are expected to be newcomers to the sport. Everyone taking part will be given the chance to hit balls under expert supervision at more than 2,000 activity days held at over 2,000 clubs, indoor centres, parks and schools nation-wide - all geared to introduce them to tennis and offer more opportunities to play all year round.

The promotion has been expanded this year with dates in both May and July designed to cater for thousands of newcomers as well as those of any age or ability who need reminding how much fun it is to play the game. This means that for the first time Play Tennis will take place over the weekend immediately after the Wimbledon championships (July 16-17), taking full advantage of the high profile of the game at that time. Grove Hill Tennis Club is staging the Leeds Youth Games tennis tournament on July 15 to coincide with Play Tennis, entry forms are available from your school or by contacting Alice Gull, the community sports officer on 874818.

Last year over 76,000 were attracted to Play Tennis events, over 80 per cent of whom were aged under 18. This included 18,000 newcomers to the sport and more than 16,000 Play Tennis participants have become new club members as a result of the promotion over the past two years alone. For further information, please contact Georgina Jackson on 01943 466720.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.