GROUPS are looking at the best ways to utilise the assets of a town park - including new £45,000 tennis facilities.

Millom Town Council is to set up a park group which will be looking at Millom Park and how it serves as a community facility.

Millom Park, which is owned by the town council, saw its old tennis court refurbished into a modern facility for the sport last summer.

Now Millom Tennis Club is also working further on a development plan to bring tennis to more people.

The town tennis club is working alongside the Lawn Tennis Association to encourage more grass roots tennis activities for all. The club and the association will also work with the town council on these plans.

The park was discussed at Millom Town Council and there was a lot of enthusiasm to capitalise on the assets and support the sports clubs.

Millom Tennis Club works closely with LTA coach George Spry and it plans to do more work with local schools and other members of the community.

The club hosted Easter events for children and last week there was a school tennis tournament.

Dave Billing, secretary of Millom Tennis Club, said: "We have refurbished courts and we are looking to build the club and we will work on a development plan."

Mr Billing said the club would like offer more tennis opportunities for young people, beginners, families and people with disabilities.

He said the club wants to encourage more people to play on the top notch facilities.

Pupils from St James' Catholic Primary School are heading to the Copeland schools tennis finals in May after being successful in a local tournament last week. St James' school has made it to the county schools tennis finals on a number of occasions now. Mr Spry does coaching at the school.

Helen High, a teacher and PE coordinator at St James' Catholic Primary School, said: "It's great that Millom has these new tennis courts. It will be good to have more events and more opportunities for children and others."