CHARD will get a chance to take on the town’s new tennis courts and put its serving power to the test against the club's best.

Brand new super soft carpet courts are due to be unveiled at the Chard Tennis Club’s home in Zembard Lane this weekend.

The resurfacing has been carried out thanks to a massive £8,000 grant from South Somerset District Council, and £1,000 each from Chard Town Council and Tesco’s Bags For Help scheme.

Jacky Boothman is the chairman of Chard Tennis Club.

After securing the final funding, she said: “The tarmac courts were hard on the joints, slippery after rain and frost, and were in need of resurfacing.

“These new courts are soft on the feet enabling people to play for longer and reduce the chance of injury.

“They have a lower bounce and greatly improve players’ enjoyment of the game.

“The tennis club will now have upmarket courts to join the state of the art clubhouse installed three years ago.

“The club is grateful for the local council and Chard Town’s faith in the club and for their generosity.

“We are looking forward to the new season.”

The club is holding an open day on Saturday, May 12, to coincide with the national Great British Tennis Weekend, sponsored by the Lawn Tennis Association.

The event is being held from 11am until 1pm, and will give residents the opportunity to try out the new courts, to enjoy a nibble or two, and to test their serve.

Mrs Boothman added: “We will will be offering on the day half price memberships for anyone wanting to join on that day.

“Children will be able to sign up for as little as £5.

“We will have the speed machine there the pace of people’s shots, and there will be a prize for the fastest serve.”

Jacky Boothman was also on hand at Chard Town Council’s annual awards night, to collect the tennis club’s giant cheque.

Collecting the funds, she said: “We would like to say a big thank you to Chard Town Council for giving us this money.

“We have now put in the super soft courts and we will have them on show this weekend and next weekend.

“We just want to encourage people to play more tennis, and hopefully having these courts will help do that for us.”

For more information on this weekend’s open day, visit www.chardtennis.co.uk.