Judy Murray gives kids tennis lessons at Dumbarton Club

Dumbarton Tennis Club, previously Kirktonhill, were joined by special guests at an event to celebrate £100,000 renovations to the club's courts.

Works to resurface three of their courts and introduce floodlights for the first time were completed following two years of work by the community.

Disabled access gates were also installed to ensure wheelchair users can take advantage of the courts and the facility is now open to non-members.

At the event on Saturday, September 28, tennis star Judy Murray spent three hours on the courts giving more than 40 youngsters a coaching lesson before making a speech and cutting a cake.

A special cake was made for the celebration (Image: Supplied) Judy praised the club, which is one of the oldest in Scotland, saying the last time she was there the courts had 'potholes'.

Judy spent three hours at the club and gave kids a coaching lesson (Image: Supplied) Posting on her social media she said: "What a welcome from the kids at Dumbarton Tennis Club yesterday for the official opening of their resurfaced courts.

"It’s one of the oldest clubs in Scotland, dating back to 1898 and the only tennis club in West Dunbartonshire.

"I was thrilled to see the transformation - when I opened the new clubhouse in 2018 the courts were very old black tarmac with potholes and loose gravel, so it was great to come back and see such a huge number of members and guests supporting the amazing work of the committee and coach Duggie McKechnie.

"A wonderful example of an inclusive and welcoming community facility."

The new courts were resurfaced and ad flood lights introduced (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) Paul Donnelly, fundraising officer for Dumbarton Tennis Club, says the new renovations will allow more opportunities for players to get out on the court.

He said: "Recent years have been difficult for the club with courts in a poor state of repair, and a lack of floodlighting hampering any attempt at year round play.

"The new facilities are the result of two years of tireless work from our committee, which has raised in excess of £100,000 to redevelop the club.

"It is already proving to be hugely popular and will be something this area will benefit from for years to come.

"We are hugely grateful to Judy for coming to do this and for the time she gives, not just to our club, but to supporting and promoting tennis in Scotland."

Funding came from a range of Scottish Community Landfill Funders -Suez, Levenseat, and Pattersons Quarry- from Arnold Clark, and from the fundraising efforts and donations from individual members.

The event was also attended by local MP, Douglas McAllister, Lord McFall, and representatives from Sports Scotland and Tennis Scotland.