PLAYERS of all ages will now be able to get a slice of tennis action at the recreational ground in Holt after a resident raised thousands of pounds over the last 20 years to renovate the courts.

Meg Slade, 64, of Little Parks, started the project in 1996 after moving to the village from Atworth.

“When I started all I did was put a note in the village magazine asking if people wanted to help and someone sent me £50. It just started from there because we started a committee,” she said.

The committee held their first fundraiser in February 1997 where they raised £1,000 and since then have exceeded £60,000 to build the multi use games area.

Mrs Slade said although the courts have been worked on for numerous years, she feels confident that the materials sourced are of the best quality to ensure they will last for the next 15 years.

“People of all ages can play on the court and the income from it each week is very good because we have groups from football, tennis and netball using it day in, day out,” Mrs Slade added.

“Children are also playing on the courts with their skateboards and it has created a community environment.”

Due to ill health, Mrs Slade stepped down as chairman of the committee a few months ago and while she insists her sporting days are over, she is a keen fan of tennis and hopes the community enjoy the courts as much as she has.

She said: “It has been lovely process seeing it through.

“At the time of starting the project, I had three teenage boys and they had a lot of fun on the recreation ground in Atworth particularly on the tennis courts.

“When I saw the recreational field in Holt I wanted to lie low because I did so much in Atworth but I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t want to improve the facilities just for the boys but also for my age group and I have always been a community minded person and I enjoy doing things for other people and I just thought let’s see if I can do it again – and I did.”

The village had an official unveiling on Monday.