TENNIS courts in Saltcoats are set to benefit from maintenance work by the council after concerns were raised by a woman that a generation could miss out on playing the game.

Lettie McLaughlin, was one of six women, who formed Glebe Tennis Association more than a decade ago and helped to see the Glebe tennis courts upgraded after they had fallen into disrepair.

This year marks 10 years since the courts were formally opened by Judy Murray but Ms McLaughlin feared that history could repeat itself unless action is taken to maintain the courts.

She said: “The courts are 10 years old, and they get used regularly but it is getting to the stage where they need repaired and we need to think ahead.

“The fence is broken, weeds are growing up, there are a few holes and the lines need repainted. We don’t want the courts to go back to the way they were before.

“It took us years to secure funding for the courts and lots of meetings and we did our job but we can’t do it again as many of us are getting older.”

Ms McLaughlin believes that it is important for the sport to capitalise on the success of the Murray brothers but is concerned that if the courts continue to deteriorate then people will just stay away and a generation could miss out.

She said: “It’s a great facility and without free local tennis courts you are never going to see players go onto big things.”

North Ayrshire Council has now confirmed it will take over maintenance of the tennis courts.

A spokesperson said: “We previously carried out general litter picking and tidied Glebe tennis courts to support the residents group.

“This group has now been disbanded and the council will now be taking over the maintenance of the courts.”