Four new outdoor tennis courts are set to be created at Eastleigh's Fleming Park Leisure Centre in Hampshire, as part of a scheme to increase participation in the sport among local residents.

Construction work is expected to get underway in January 2010 on the project to establish the centre as a community tennis centre, which will double the number of existing tennis courts and also includes the addition of a clubhouse. Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) and the Lawn Tennis Association are working in partnership with Fleming Park operator DC Leisure to jointly-fund the scheme, which is due for completion in spring 2010.

Fleming Park's tennis programme is operated by Serving Tennis, a management company with dedicated centres in Totton and Southampton, as well as a number of satellite sites. Serving Tennis commercial and operations director, Richard Cutler, said: "Tennis is often regarded as an elitist sport and the culture of members only clubs can be a barrier to participation. Our aim is make tennis as accessible to as many people as possible."

Centre manager Jo Parker added: "These additional courts will help us to meet the increasing demand for community tennis and allow even more people to enjoy the benefits of the sport."