SEAFIELDS Gardens and Knyveton Gardens are running free tennis sessions as part of the Tennis For Free campaign.

The national sports charity last week launched a year-long programme and sessions take place every Saturday.

In an exciting partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council, coaches at Seafield Gardens and Knyveton Gardens will help provide free coach-led tennis sessions for all the family every weekend.

Anyone is welcome and all equipment is provided free of charge.

Local tennis coach and sites organiser Kris Kozoil said: "We are all very excited to welcome Tennis For Free to not one but two parks across the town – Seafield Gardens and Knyveton Gardens.

"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.

"People can bring their own racquet if they wish, but all equipment is provided and, as the name suggests, everything is free!”

Tennis For Free is a registered charity founded by comedian Tony Hawks and fashion executive Patrick Hollwey.

It aims to provide healthy, vibrant local tennis communities for free on public park tennis courts creating new tennis players of all ages and backgrounds and showing that tennis can be enjoyed by all.

Tennis For Free supporters include Judy Murray, mother of AndyMurray, BBC tennis commentator Andrew Castle and ex-Grand Slam winner Pat Cash.

Tennis For Free chief executive Paul Jessop said: “Seafield Gardens and Knyveton Gardens are two of many sites we are opening across the south coast in 2018.

"All 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.

“The sessions are perfect for that first taste of tennis or for getting back into the game in a fun and relaxed manner but with all equipment provided and coaches in attendance to help out.

"We hope many people of all ages and abilities will come and join us at the Saturday sessions.”

Tennis For Free has plans to bring more than 175,000 new tennis players, 2,000 coaches and 5,000 volunteers into the sport over the next five years.

For more details and to sign up for Tennis For Free at Seafield Gardens and Knyveton Gardens, go to www.tennisforfree.com.