A TENNIS club has won more than £26,000 of council funding to resurface its courts and install new LED lights.

Lympsham Tennis Club on Lympsham Road, won £26,168.41 from Sedgemoor District Council's RLT3 Funds for new court surfacing , new LED flood lights and new perimeter fencing.

The RLT3 fund was set up by the council to ensure that new housing developments made a contribution towards the provision of outdoor sports facilities in an area local to the development.

Tennis club chairman, Steve Grist, said he is pleased the club has secured the funds.

"The club has two hard courts that are nearing the end of their natural life," Steve said.

"We have examined suitable alternatives and have found a great artificial grass surface that is hard wearing, durable and offers a much truer play than the unpredictable nature of the typical Astro surface.

"It is also very quick to lay minimising disruption for our members."

Steve said the club has also set aside funds over the years which will allow them to install a new LED lighting system which he says will 'greatly improve' night time visibility for players as well as limiting light pollution.

The club also plans to replace the ageing boundaries fencing with wired panels to make the club more secure.

Marina Turner, parks and open spaces project officer at SDC said she hopes the new lighting system will mean the club is no longer in danger of losing members.

"£3,947.30 of RLT3 funds was granted by Sedgemoor in 2012 for new floodlighting as their previous floodlights were faulty.

"This is likely to have been done on a budget, with the replacement system now becoming outdated as new LED schemes are installed at other clubs at much higher costs (hence complaints received from visiting teams)."

"The club is in danger of losing members who struggle playing under the current lights when compared to other clubs lighting schemes.

"This project has my full support which will help the club to completely resurface the courts and contribute towards the lighting.

"The club celebrates its 25th anniversary this year so it would be very fitting if they could provide an improved playing surface for its members, visiting teams, and other casual players who benefit from their 'pay and play' facility."

Steve said he thinks the club could 'proudly' claim to be the 'best little club in Somerset' once the redevelopment is complete.

“All-in-all when the redevelopment is complete I think that, along with the fantastic facilities of the Pavilion Club and Bar, the club can proudly claim to be the 'best little club in Somerset' and we welcome potential new members to come along and put us to the test”.