Free weekly tennis sessions at an Ipswich park has attracted almost 400 people in six months.

National sports Charity, Tennis for Free, launched the sessions at Christchurch Park. The charity teamed up with Ipswich Sports Club and the LTA to provide the activity.

Tennis For Free CEO, Paul Jessop, said: “We had 371 people sign up for the free tennis sessions in six months and that is a terrific start for us. Many of those people had never played the sport before and we hope to keep on attracting even more people to Christchurch Park as time goes on.

“With support from the LTA and local partners such as Ipswich Sports Club we plan to create 500 sites across the UK within the next five years. This means over 170,000 people will start to play tennis for the first time or return to the sport after many years and it’s all free.”

Andrew Yorke, general manager at Ipswich Sports Club, said: “Numbers have remained positive throughout the sessions at Christchurch Park and those attending have enjoyed themselves immensely. It’s been great to work with Tennis for Free and to have such wonderful support from the team here at Ipswich Sports Club.

“The wonderful thing about this initiative is that it really is open to absolutely everyone, regardless of age and ability. We have been delighted to provide a welcoming and friendly environment in the park that we hope will lead to the community feeling part of what we are trying to create - which is tennis for everyone and anyone.”

You can register for Tennis For Free at Christchurch park online here or for more details about Tennis for Free visit the website.