Young tennis players representing Britain’s inner cities had the opportunity to attend Wimbledon through the Lawn Tennis Association’s City Tennis Club programme.

Established in June 2001, City Tennis Clubs are designed to provide a safe, open and friendly environment for people of all ages to play tennis and mini tennis.

A selected number of players have been chosen from each of the City Tennis Clubs across the country.

The youngsters will be given the opportunity to visit the LTA’s Kids’ Zone during Wimbledon – an area dedicated to junior tennis where they will be able to participate in tennis sessions run by LTA-qualified coaches.

They will also have the opportunity to witness the action on one of the All-England Club’s show courts.

Greenwich is one of 20 City Tennis Club’s taking up this unique opportunity.

Alison Mc Cann, co-ordinator for Greenwich City Tennis Club, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our youngsters to visit the championships and experience its unique atmosphere.

“Since we launched the club in 2001 our membership has been increasing daily, which is fantastic news for the growth of British tennis.” Twenty-three City Tennis Clubs have opened since the LTA introduced the £1m a year scheme two years ago.

The first was opened in Hackney, London, in June 2001 by former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, who has since been joined as an official ambassador by Prime Minister Tony Blair. Wimbledon legends John McEnroe, Pat Cash and Serena Williams also support the growth of the CTC programme.

The City Tennis Club scheme aims to refurbish and regenerate existing park courts in partnership with local authorities.

By charging as little as £1 a session, the scheme encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to get out on court and have a go.

Full details are available from the City Tennis Club website: www.LTA.org.uk/citytennis clubs