York could be the home of the next Tim Henman or Annabel Croft thanks to a new mini tennis initiative at City of York Council's Oaklands Sport Centre.

The centre has recently been accredited as a mini tennis centre in conjunction with the Lawn Tennis Association. Children between the age of five and ten years will be able to receive coaching in the junior equivalent of the adult game.

Mini tennis is specially designed for kids - it uses smaller rackets, smaller courts and special balls, making it safer, slower and less intimidating than adult tennis. Mini Tennis Red is the first starting point for budding Beckers. It is ideal for children between the ages of five and seven years because of the low bouncing ball and small racket.

Mini Tennis Orange is the stepping stone between mini tennis and the adult game. It's played on a bigger court than red tennis, and the balls bounce higher, but it's still geared specifically to children under ten years of age.

Mini tennis coaching at Oaklands will take place on Saturday afternoons in the sports hall: Mini tennis red (5- 7 years) Saturday 2:00pm - 2:45pm Mini tennis Orange (8 - 10 years) Saturday 3:00pm - 3:45pm

Mark Wilson, community leisure officer, City of York Council, said: "Mini tennis is fun, energetic and easy to play. It is a great way of introducing children to tennis, and can really help improve their co-ordinance and confidence." For More information or to book a place, contact Oaklands reception on 01904 782841.