A new court dedicated to the increasingly popular sport of padel is coming to Hexham.
Sitting alongside existing courts at Hexham Tennis Club, construction on the new court has already begun, with completion expected by mid-October.
Padel, sometimes characterised as a mix of tennis and squash, is played with a perforated bat in an enclosed space less than half the size of a tennis court.
Northumberland County Council's Sports Development Team and Hexham Tennis Club secured £91,000 of funding from the S106 Housing Developers Fund, which, combined with Hexham Tennis Club funding, has covered the court's cost.
Cuncillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member for healthy lives at Northumberland County Council, said: "Padel is great for beginners and young children as well as competent racquet sport players and is another fun and sociable way of keeping fit and active.
"We’re delighted to see construction has started."
Padel originates from Mexico, is already popular in Europe - including in Spain - and is fast-growing in the UK.
The court at Hexham Tennis Club will be bookable by both club members and non-members.
Bookings open on Monday, October 7, on the website playtomic.io
Court hire will be £16 at peak time, and £14 off peak, for an hour, with a discount for club members.
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