Southend is hoping to inspire the next generation of British tennis talent with newly refurbished courts and a series of summer programmes.

The town that was famous for producing the Lloyd tennis siblings David, John and Tony is promoting its upgraded outdoor courts in two public parks, Chalkwell Park and Priory Park.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (SBC) appointed Essex business ETC Sports Surfaces, who collaborated with long term sports fencing partner Zaun, to put in four new outdoor courts and fencing in the two parks.

Now Fusion Lifestyle, which has been working in partnership with SBC and the Lawn Tennis Association to provide a community tennis scheme and improve access and participation, is running its Great Outdoor Campaign to encourage players to perfect their skills on the outdoor courts, starting from 20 June, the week before Wimbledon.

Fusion’s Sima Parker said: “Now is the perfect time to be inspiring people into the game, with the French Open just started, the increasing global success of British stars such as Andy Murray and Johanna Konta and with just over a month to Wimbledon.”

The outdoor courts are accessible via a fob, which costs just £27.50 per household for a year – or just £25 with a Southend Advantage Card. Players can find details at www.southendparkstennis.com.

Zaun is the only UK manufacturer of bespoke tennis mesh – its Advantage Tennis fencing eliminates many of the downsides of traditional tennis chain link fencing, which deforms over time and is easy to cut, disfigure and vandalise.