LAWN Tennis Association president Peter Bretherton has praised the continued development of tennis in Cornwall after taking a tour of the county.

Mr Bretherton travelled to three tennis providers and was on hand to present the Dragon Leisure Centre in Bodmin with the prestigious Beacon award.

As well as the Dragon Leisure Centre, which is owned by Cornwall Council, Mr Bretherton was shown around facilities at Wadebridge Lawn Tennis Club and Heron in Newquay.

The LTA and Tennis Foundation announced the awarding of Beacon status to Dragon Leisure Centre as part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme in recognition of their high quality, affordable community tennis programmes. The club joins 169 sites across the country to achieve the national accolade which recognises the best community-focussed facilities offering free and affordable tennis as part of the AEGON Parks Tennis programme.

To achieve this status, facilities must also offer access to quality, affordable coaching as well as regular competitions for all ages and abilities.

Mr Bretherton said: "The quality of the tennis facilities I have seen through the region are of a very high standard and that is enhanced by the awarding of the Beacon status to the Dragon Leisure Centre.

"I'm delighted to be here to present it and it's testament to the hard work that has been done at this centre in recent times. Tennis in the South West can really flourish as a result of awards like this one and I'm confident that it will encourage more people to pick up a racket and play the sport."

It proved to be a double celebration for the Dragon Leisure Centre as they opened brand new facilities during Mr Bretherton's visit.

The club has resurfaced four existing courts on the site thanks to a LTA grant of £15,500, with support from Sport England, towards the total cost of £32, 979 with the remaining funding provided by Cornwall Council.

Dragon Centre manager Richard Lamboll said: "We are very proud to be recognised through the LTA and Tennis Foundation Beacon status as a facility that offers the local community access to free tennis plus quality, affordable coaching for all ages and abilities.

"It is testament to Cornwall Council for their commitment to tennis and especially the investment into improving facilities at the Dragon Leisure Centre.

"To have such an accessible, quality pay and play tennis facility in the Bodmin is wonderful."