A TENNIS club has been recognised for its “excellent” standards after scooping a prestigious award.

Holcombe Brook Sports Club, which works with local schools and provides holiday clubs for youngsters, was awarded Tennismark+ accreditation.

The award recognises the club in Hazel Hall Lane, Ramsbottom, as an all-inclusive venue offering tennis to all ages and abilities at a high standard.

Tom Lemon, head tennis coach said: “Gaining the accreditation has been a lot of hard work for the coaches and in particular the management committee who are all volunteers. Alan Lord was the main person responsible for getting us here.

“All our sessions are delivered by fully qualified and licensed tennis coaches and we do a lot of work in the local schools so it’s great that the venue has been recognised for its hard work.

“We had to meet a lot of different criteria and for me personally it was great to be awarded with Tennismark+, all of the coaches and committee worked extremely hard to show the great work that goes on at the club.

“We want to offer a facility that the whole community can be a part of and enjoy I think it is a great asset to everybody in the area and will only continue to grow and offer more opportunities in the future.”

A spokesman for Tennismark+ said: “Congratulations to everyone at Holcombe Brook Sports Club. the award is the elite tier of accreditation and recognises venues that are safe, welcoming and inclusive and that provide a high quality tennis programme, alongside the right environment to ensure the welfare of its members.”