RESIDENTS in Lymington say they cannot get to grips with a bid from the town's tennis club to relocate from the sports ground to Woodside.

They say they are unconvinced there is a community need for the move away from the Avenue Road site, costing more than £400,000, and argue there are sufficient tennis courts and facilities locally for existing and new players.

Members of the town council are due to discuss the move on Monday, and will look in detail at the proposals to build six new hard courts with floodlighting next to the existing grass surface ones.

The Lawn Tennis Association has been assisting Lymington Tennis Club with initial consultancy and would support the club by way of grants and loans equivalent to 40 per cent of the total cost of the move.

"If the move to Woodside does not take place, there are a number of outstanding issues relating to the tennis club facilities at Lymington Sports Ground," said town clerk Andrew Rimmer.

"The club is currently holding over on a lease which has expired. In addition, the clubhouse needs immediate replacement and the courts will need to be resurfaced in the near future."

The tennis club's owner, Mike Barrell, says the relocation is crucial for the existing Lawn Tennis Association standard coaching given to adults and child members.

But John Skinner, chairman of New Woodside Association, said: "We believe the financial and environmental costs of building an expanded tennis complex in Woodside Park are not justified.

"The community need for this has not been demonstrated. Surely the sensible course is to carry out the necessary maintenance at Avenue Road so that the tennis club can continue to operate effectively there."