IT was a big day for Stourport Tennis and Squash Club when Britain's former number one tennis ace Jeremy Bates cut the ribbon to open a new £220,000 clubhouse at Tan Lane on Saturday.

Bates also took part in coaching sessions with some of the club's junior members and there was an exhibition squash match between the number ones from Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

The Stourport club received a £58,000 grant from the Lawn Tennis Association and sold unwanted land to help finance the new premises which include luxury changing facilities, two artificial surface tennis courts, kitchen and bar.