A BOLTON tennis player is hoping to inspire youngsters to pick up the racquet and take up the sport.

Wayne Jones is the development officer in Bolton and is working on a number of initiatives to help get kids active and address dwindling numbers taking up tennis.

One scheme takes place on February 8 between 2-4pm at USN Bolton Arena and is aimed at children between four and eight for mini-tennis festival.

He said: "We are looking to give people in the local area the chance to come to our facilities to coach them and hope they can join one of the programmes.

"They have to have a good time and then perhaps they can continue to play the sport.

"We are not just interested in getting them down to the Arena but get them playing with the family at the park or in clubs and if they are good enough onto the Arena.

"We need to attract children to take up the sport and this mini festival is the first time we have ran a festival of tennis like this.

"I have visited several schools and the feedback has been very good from the kids.

"There is two weeks to go but want to get between 50 and 80 people competing and coaching.

"If successful, the plan is to run events at Moss Bank Park in the summer and then other festivals elsewhere.

The 29-year-old lived in Bolton and wants the area to continue developing top talent.

He said: "I started quite late only picking up a racquet at 12 and really enjoyed it.

"I was a member of a number of clubs locally and then got into coaching before taking on this role.

"There is going to be a big push to get people doing the sport.

"If we give children the opportunity to be coached and learn it will be great.

"Tennis has been struggling with an elitist tag but I want people to get down to the local park for free and break down those barriers.

"If we can get them involved and stay in the sport even better."

n To book a place at the event contact Stuart Kay on stuartkay@boltonarena.com or ring 01204 488110.