IT was all love for the game of tennis in Bolton town centre.

Children were making quite a racket in Crompton Place on Saturday when Bolton Tennis Community Programme (BTCP) paid a visit to serve up some sessions.

Mini-Murrays and diminutive Djokovics were able to practise their serve and volley with child-sized tennis gear at the shopping centre.

The afternoon event was matched just in time for the start of the Wimbledon tennis tournament today.

Crompton Place centre manager, Paula Wood, said: "Everyone in the centre has really caught Wimbledon fever over the past few days so this is perfect timing.

"Tennis is such a fun, energetic sport and it’s great that we’ve got BTCP in the town to get children involved at a young age. It’s a fantastic way for children to keep fit and healthy and to get them outdoors and active, especially during the summer."

Children took part in mini-games and other tennis-themed activity, while parents could find out more about how to get involved in future tennis events.

Stuart Kay, tennis manager at Bolton Arena, who is responsible for the BTCP, said he was delighted that the team could visit Crompton Place.

He added: "Sometimes the view of tennis can be that it is an expensive sport to play due to club memberships and equipment, but we run a whole host of affordable programmes in the community where people can come along and get involved in tennis."

On Sunday the BTCP will be taking part in the Great British Tennis Weekend, organised by the Lawn Tennis Association, the governing body for tennis in Great Britain.

The team of qualified coaches will be at Moss Bank Park offering free coaching for all ages and activities ranging from mini tennis through to family games.