The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has launched its Play Tennis nationwide recruitment campaign for 2003.

The scheme encourages people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to play tennis for free at over 1,100 clubs and local authority courts all over the country.

Clubs, leisure centres and local authority venues are invited to open their doors for at least one day between now and the end of September and welcome anyone to play.

Caroline Blincoe, the LTA regional development manager for Hertfordshire said: 'We particularly hope that the campaign attracts those adults and children who are keen to try their hand at tennis for the first time and to potentially become long-term players.' Details: www.LTA.org.uk

As part of Play Tennis 2003, the LTA is running a celebrity event, Smashed!, for the public in London. It will involve musical, television and film celebrities and will run in conjunction with Cup Promotions who also run the annual Soccer Six event. Further details to be announced later in the year: www.cup.uk.com