TENNIS courts around Bournemouth are set to be leased to private operators, because they are not making any money for the council.

Courts at Knyveton Gardens, Meyrick Park, Moordown recreation ground, Redhill Park, Seafield Gardens, Swanmore Gardens and Winton recreation ground are all set to be put out to tender.

The majority of the courts currently bring in no income and the cost of repairs and maintenance are met from the council’s parks budget.

Bournemouth council’s decision to change the set-up follows a successful scheme in Shelley Park, where a private operator maintains the site and charges families £25 a year to use the courts.

An alternative option of closing the sites was rejected.