Two up-and-coming junior tennis players from Bradford have been highlighted as some of the brightest talents in the country after they were included on the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Aegon FutureStars programme, which recognises and supports some of the best juniors in the country.

Jayanne Palma, who is 11, and 15-year-old Serena Nash have earned their place on the programme following a successful year on court, and will now receive added support from the LTA.

The talented youngsters have been included as part of the 2014 intake of players and will be part of a group of 424 top juniors from around the country who all receive varying levels of funding and support from the LTA.

Leon Smith, LTA head of men’s tennis, said: “We are committed to supporting and identifying our most talented players, and the Aegon FutureStars programme is central to this process for young players who are starting out in the game.

“There’s obviously a long way to go for these players. It’s a long journey for any player hoping to make an impact on the game but we hope that with the right support, these players are given the best possible chance of reaching their full potential.”

David Macmillan, chief marketing officer at Aegon, added: “We’re delighted to continue supporting the LTA in identifying and developing young players across the country.

"As a business, we believe that preparation is key, and the Aegon FutureStars programme plays an essential role in enabling young people to fulfill their potential, and make the next step in their tennis journey.”

For more information please go to www.lta.org.uk.