A BRIGHT future beckons for Innerleithen Tennis Club as members, funders and friends are set to mark the opening of their recently resurfaced courts on Sunday.

Following a major fundraising drive by the committee, the tennis club raised £26,000 to resurface its two courts.

And they have been decked out in the Wimbledon colours of green and purple.

In dire need of repair, the original courts were about 20 years old, badly pockmarked and incredibly slippery when wet.

The courts were initially resurfaced last November by construction company Doe Sport (North) Ltd, which had to cope with a large hole in one corner because of a rotting tree stump.

The top coating and colours were then applied in May this year by local company Colourworks Coatings.

Gillian Steele, Chair of Innerleithen Tennis Club, told us: "I am so proud to see us grow from the small club I knew back in the 1990s to one that has enthused and encouraged our local community to play tennis.

"For the past eight years, we’ve had around 100 members, 70 percent of which are juniors, all playing tennis at various levels and having a lot of fun.”

The club was supported by three key funders - ClubSport Tweeddale, Scottish Borders Council Community Grant Scheme and Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.

In addition, a host of members not only supported activities by the club – including a 14-hour tennis-athon that raised almost £2,000 – but also undertook their own fundraising activities.

Such efforts were further recognised when ClubSport Tweeddale and Live Borders awarded the tennis club the accolade of Tweeddale Club of the Year 2017, while it was also one of three nominees in the Live Borders Club of the Year awards category.

Sunday's celebration, which begins with an official ribbon cutting at 12noon, will see the club welcome representatives from its three main funders, as well as guests from contractors, Tennis Borders clubs, former members and supporters.

There will be a barbecue and drinks, as well as a chance for all to sample the new courts.

The club is now planning the next phase in its development, including new floodlights and a mini tennis zone that will encourage more youngsters to take up the game.