A BRAND new schools' competition culminates for a whole host of mini-tennis players across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

More than 500 primary school children have taken their first steps in the Ariel Mini-tennis Red Schools Event.

Budding stars of the future took on district school competitions with the winners moving through to the next stage.

They then qualified for the county finals at Manor Park in Malvern this week.

Players aged nine to 11 compete today, while seven to nine-year-olds play on Thursday for the chance to be crowned champions of the inaugural event.

Van Willerton, club development officer for Herefordshire and Worcestershire LTA said: "Getting children on court at an early age is the best way to bring out their natural tennis skills.

"We encourage all the kids watching Wimbledon this week to play anywhere - in the park or against the garage wall.

"All of our young beginners involved in this new competition have had a good grounding in trying the modified game of Ariel Mini-tennis and we now hope they seek out their local club and get competing down there too."