THE Mayor of Dudley served up a civic seal of approval when he visited an ‘ace’ Stourbridge tennis club.

Quarry Bank Tennis Club were highly commended at this year’s Mayor’s Ball and Civic Awards when they came third in the Duncan Edwards award for sport.

In recognition of their ‘outstanding contribution’ to sport, Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, popped by the Talbots Lane club on Friday (April 8) to formally present them with their certificate.

The club, set up six years ago, currently has around 50 children and 50 adults taking part in training sessions.

While there, he met coaches Nikki Parkes and Stacey Billingham, and youngsters who had signed up to the Easter tennis club.

Cllr Waltho said: “It’s great to see the young tennis stars of the future being put through their paces, and it’s clear to see from the way the club is run why they were nominated for the Duncan Edwards award for sport.

“Local sports clubs such as this help young people not only to learn new skills but to lead happy and healthy lifestyles too.”

The two coaches, both top tennis players in their own right – Nikki won the regional tennis championships at under 18s level while Stacey was once ranked 250 in the whole world at under 19s – were one of three nominations in the sports category at the civic awards.

During the March ceremony the mayor praised all three nominees before announcing eventual winner Zara Jade Turton, who has represented Great Britain in rhythm gymnastics.