A NATIONAL sports charity is serving up free tennis sessions for people in Stourbridge.

Hot off the heels of this year's Wimbledon Championships, Tennis For Free has teamed up with Dudley Council and the LTA to provide free coach-led tennis sessions for all the family in Mary Stevens Park, Norton, to encourage people to take up tennis or get back into the sport.

The sessions will kick off on Saturday July 29 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Participants do not need a a racket or a ball as all equipment is provided free of charge.

Tennis coach and lead site organiser Les Davies said: "We are all very excited to welcome Tennis For Free to Mary Stevens Park.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for all members of the local community to get into the spirit of trying tennis for either the first time or to dust off the cobwebs and try again. And what better way to start the free sessions than just after the Wimbledon Championships."

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley Council’s cabinet member responsible for parks and green spaces, said: “The Tennis for Free programme is a great way for families to try out the sport.

"It’s free, fun and gets people out into the fresh air in one of our welcoming borough parks. I hope lots of families sign up to the scheme this summer.”

Tennis For Free is a registered charity founded by comedian Tony Hawks and fashion executive Patrick Hollwey to provide healthy, vibrant tennis communities for free on public park tennis courts.

Supporters include Andy Murray's mum Judy, BBC tennis commentator Andrew Castle and ex-Grand Slam winner Pat Cash.

Tennis For Free CEO Paul Jessop said: “This is our second site launch in a week in the Black Country after Priory Park, Dudley last Sunday.

"It’s also the 4th site launch in the West Midlands in 2017 and we hope to open others before the end of the summer.

"All of our sessions are very well suited to the whole family coming down and all playing tennis at the same time. There are no catches, all equipment is provided.”

Van Willerton, LTA regional tennis participation manager, said: “We are very excited about the free activities being created for people to play tennis in Stourbridge through the Tennis for Free programme.

"The park has really accessible facilities in the heart of the community. And with Tennis for Free offering free sessions every weekend, people will be able to meet and make new friends, get fit and have some fun and all for no cost.”

For more information go to www.tennisforfree.com or to register for Tennis For Free email lesdaviestennis@gmail.com.