This was part of a feature, 23 June 2008:
Hannah Gray and Jemma Walton get some tips on taking up tennis and also find out the best places to buy refreshments if you're more into the spectating side.

Courts:
Thorpe Wood Health and Racquets Club has six courts in total, which are under cover during the winter.

Non members, including children, can attend courses at the club, and it will soon be starting Cardio Tennis sessions, which are fun, high-energy group sessions set to music and aim to improve timing and co-ordination.

The sessions will be free to any member of the public next Wednesday, June 25 at noon and 7pm. Anyone interested should call 01733 892289 to book a place.

Werrington Sports Centre, Staniland Way. Has outdoor courts for hire from 5pm to 10pm and all day at weekends. To hire a court for an hour costs £6 with an active card and £7.30 without. For more information, call 01733 576606 or visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-9379.

Bushfield Sports Centre at the Orton Centre has eight outdoor courts available for hire.

To hire a court for an hour costs £7.30 for non-members, £5.25 with an active card or £2.75 for juniors. For more information, e-mail bushfieldsports@peterborough.gov.uk or call 01733 234018 or visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-7561.

There are also courts in Central Park and Hampton Hargate.


Clubs:
Castor and Ailsworth Tennis Club offers coaching for adults and children. In Castor the club has two grass courts, plus one main hard court. Members also have use of the facilities at the former AMP Pearl site off Splash Lane, Castor, where there are four hard courts.

On Saturday afternoons for between 10 and 12 weeks a year, the club runs a kids' club, where children can go for hour-long low-cost group coaching sessions.

To join the club costs £38 per year for a single adult, £75 for a family (two adults up to three children), and there is a discounted single junior rate for under 18s and full-time students of £25. For more information, call the membership secretary Shirley Short on 01733 370807, or visit www.catennis.co.uk.

Deepings Sports and Social Club has three hard courts, which have been resurfaced in the last couple of months. It has its own coach, and group sessions (mainly for juniors) that are run at weekends. Individual coaching is available. The club runs a number of teams in the local leagues.

Single membership costs £80 a year, mini junior membership (11 years and under) costs £20 a year, junior membership (12 to 15) is £25 a year, and intermediate membership (16 to 18 and those in full-time education) is £30.

A couple's membership costs £140 a year and family membership £150. For more information, call Mike Soppitt on 01778 343918.


Peterborough City Lawn Tennis Club
At the moment, Peterborough City Lawn Tennis Club is in the process of relocating. It is currently sharing facilities with Peterborough Town Sports Club at Bretton Gate.

The two clubs take part in club and match play as a combined club, and play under the name City of Peterborough Tennis Club.

The clubs cannot take on beginners at the moment as they don't have the facilities, but hope to be able to in the near future. They are, however, happy to receive new members who are more established players. Club play takes place on Wednesdays from 6.30pm onwards, and they also play at Itter Park on Saturdays and Sundays in dry weather from 2.30pm onwards.

The clubs still play in the local leagues. For more information, call Geoffrey Smith on 07778 701288 or email geoff.smith2@which.net or visit: www.friends-of-itter-park.org.uk/city_tennis_club.html.

Membership fees for Peterborough Town Sports Club allow access to all the club's facilities. Membership costs £125 a year for an adult and £40 for a junior. For more information, call Bill Skead on 01733 236854 or visit www.ptsc.org.uk.

More external tennis links:
Official Wimbledon tennis tournament website - www.wimbledon.org.

British Lawn Tennis Association - www.lta.org.uk.