TENNIS chiefs have hailed a tournament aimed at finding new talent in the Plymouth area a success.

The Lawn Tennis Association has been working with Flybe to stage the tournament at the South Devon Tennis Centre in Ivybridge and the Dragon Tennis Centre in Bodmin.

LTA spokeswoman Dennie Hale said 50 per cent of the players who had reached the finals of the competition at the two centres had been new to the event.

Financial backing for the event is provided by Flybe, who also fund a winter tournament.

Hale, the LTA's talent performance coordinator for Devon and Cornwall, said the tournament was aimed at the under-10s.

She said: "Previously in mini-tennis tournaments, young players were using racquets which were too big and tennis balls which were too hard, as well as courts which were too big for them.

"Now they're using proper-sized equipment and proper-sized courts, they're learning the right techniques.

"These tournaments do work in bringing players through and increasing the talent pool — we've got 50 per cent more than we had last year."

Regional airline Flybe launched the competition last October to support the development and growth of young tennis players in Devon and Cornwall.