GREAT Britain’s London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic medallists Andy Lapthorne and Lucy Shuker will compete in the Bolton Indoor Wheelchair Tennis Tournament this week.

The event runs from today until Saturday and is the fifth year in a row it has taken place at the USN Bolton Arena.

Bolton Indoor is one of six British-based world-ranked events on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, organised by Great Britain’s leading tennis charity, the Tennis Foundation.

A total of 81 players from 23 countries will contest this year’s ITF 2 Series event, which boasts its strongest ever line-up with 12 top-10 world-ranked players competing across the men’s, women’s and quad singles events.

Also included in the mix are local players Nathanial Lowe-Cordingley, Helen Bond and James Ascroft, who are all hoping for success on home turf.

In addition to the world-class play, this year’s event will also see Bolton’s first ever junior wheelchair tournament taking place this Saturday and Sunday, with young stars of the future battling to be crowned champion.

Speaking ahead of the event, Tennis Foundation tournament director Liz Terry said: “We are so excited to have such a strong-line up in Bolton this year.

"To have British Paralympians and Grand Slam champions here in the North West is fantastic and we’re looking forward to some thrilling matches over the five days.

"To host our first ever junior tournament in Bolton is also a proud moment for us. We hosted a junior camp here last year and to have our world-class athletes play alongside stars of the future really helps to inspire upcoming talent."

Entry for spectators is free, with play starting at 9:30am each day.