GRAB your racquets — the tennis courts at Moss Bank Park are getting an ace facelift.

Bolton Council is serving up the improvements as part of a £2 million investment programme for sports and recreational facilities across the borough.

Work to resurface the dilapidated courts off Moss Bank Way, and the installation of new nets, fencing and floodlights, started on Tuesday.

The council has teamed up with Bolton Arena and Sports England to encourage more grassroots tennis organisations to come into play.

Tennis manager at the Arena Stuart Kay said he was delighted to see tennis courts across the borough receiving investment from the council.

He said: “For us it’s about increasing participation in the sport across all ages. We want more people to take up the sport.

“We’re also trying to get the courts used as part of a community project — that happens a lot in the south but not really up north.”

More than £300,000 is being spent refurbishing and resurfacing tennis courts at Bradford Street Park, Kearsley, Harper Green and Westhoughton Central Park.

Cllr Nick Peel, cabinet member for environmental services at Bolton Council, said he hoped more tennis provision would mean that Bolton would one day produce its own Andy Murray.

He added: “There has to be investment in sport for children from an early age — we saw the medals at the Olympics and all that started from a young age.

“We’re pumping capital into parks across the borough, including Hulton Lane — where £474,000 will be spent on a new sports development including four pitches — and improvements to Queens Park.”

David Butcher from the Friends of Moss Bank Park also welcomed the investment.

He said: “We’re all happy to see more people in the park — it’s the most popular park in Bolton by a mile.

“People come from all over Greater Manchester, it’s surprising how far they come to see the park.”

n The Friends of Moss Bank Park meet every Tuesday in the rock garden from 10am until noon to volunteer and carry out maintenance jobs. Gardeners of any ability are welcome to join them.