GREAT Sankey tennis fans could be playing in the sunshine as early as July now that work has begun on four brand new courts.

The outdoor courts are being built at Great Sankey Leisure Centre with the help of a £160,000 grant from the Lawn Tennis Association, which was awarded to LiveWire.

The new courts will have better drainage, porous surfacing, fencing and floodlights so that residents can play tennis all year round.

Emma Hutchinson, managing director of LiveWire, said: “We are thrilled to have received funding from the LTA to provide four brand new tennis courts as part of the Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub development.

“We hope the new courts will further develop the growing tennis community in Warrington, who are already benefitting from the facilities in Birchwood.”

The new courts will also play host to a community tennis competition as soon as they open to celebrate Wimbledon, one of the world’s most famous tennis tournaments.

The project is part of a wider £16 million plan to transform Great Sankey Leisure Centre into a neighbourhood centre.

New facilities at the hub will include a fitness suite, improved swimming pools, a 3G pitch, GP surgeries, a smart library, café, spa and dementia friendly facilities, and it is due to open in autumn 2017.