WITH the Wimbledon fortnight under way, budding tennis players are being encouraged to make the most of recently improved tennis courts in Ynysddu.

The tennis courts at Ynysddu Welfare Grounds fell into disrepair a few years ago, but funding from the Local Sirhowy Valley Communities Partnership and Caerphilly council has improved the courts ready for tennis enthusiasts to use.

The Argus reported in 2006 how residents had campaigned to get the community tennis courts repaired after the surface became broken and uneven and the fencing had fallen down.

But Ynysddu ward councillor Jan Jones said the courts’ fencing has now been repaired thanks to a £1,000 contribution from the local partnership.

New doors and locks have been fitted and new nets and posts put up with the work completed in April.

Cllr Jones said: “It was always very popular and we would like to see people using it again.”

Ian Gilchrist, park ranger at Ynysddu Welfare, was a member and former secretary of Ynysddu Tennis Club which used the courts before the club disbanded in 2005.

Mr Gilchrist said hopefully a men’s tennis club can be re-established at the courts ready for next year.

He also hopes members of the local football club will look to use the courts to keep fit during the summer.

The park ranger said: “Hopefully the Wimbledon fortnight will be a kick-start for the courts.”