After twelve years of darkness, the floodlights at Kingsbridge Community Tennis Club have been switched back on.

For the past few years, the courts have mainly been used in the day time with very few people showing interest in evening use. However, after the community group got involved, things took a positive turn, with more people showing an interest in the sport, especially in the evenings.

The community group asked for help from the council to help fix the floodlights, with the plan that it will take over ownership of the courts from the council in the future.

Kingsbridge Town Council, the Lawn Tennis Association, Kingsbridge in Bloom and South Hams District Council have given support.

The group launched in April last year with the hope of encouraging tennis for the whole community. A variety of sessions have been run, including coaching for youngsters and adults and Fitness Cardio sessions.

Lesley Healey, the project organiser said reinstating the floodlighting is an “important” move within the first nine months of the operation.

Lesley added: “Now our project can be as vibrant and busy in the winter as it has been this summer. We couldn’t have got so far so fast if it hadn’t been for the support of South Hams.”

Cllr Keith Wingate, Ward member for Kingsbridge said: “We are excited about the enthusiasm that the new community group has shown in having the floodlights fixed and getting more people to be active by playing tennis.”

The courts are available to members, non-members and visitors alike. If anyone would like to join, evening sessions start at 5pm on a Monday and a Thursday.

People can become a ‘Friend’ of the project for £52 a year or £5.20 a month for ten months which gives them access to all social tennis sessions for free.

More information is available on the website.