Local MP Bridget Phillipson has presented Sunderland Tennis Centre in Silksworth with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the Tennis Foundations ‘Beacon’ award, in recognition of its excellent work across the community.

Bridget was particularly impressed with Sunderland Tennis Centre’s commitment to sport for people with disabilities, specifically the development of ‘sound tennis’. With the help of local volunteers and in partnership with the LTA, the Centre has developed a program of ‘sound tennis’ which enables the visually impaired to play a game indistinguishable from what’s played on the championship courts of Wimbledon.

Bridget said: ‘I was delighted to be asked to present the Lawn Tennis Association and the Tennis Foundation’s ‘Beacon’ award to Sunderland Tennis Centre.

‘It’s inspiring to see that in spite of the tough economic times Sunderland Tennis Centre is providing such innovative and cutting edge facilities and programs such as ‘sound tennis’.

‘What’s so great is that this alternative is playable by both partially sighted and able sighted players, making the sport available to people from all ages, backgrounds and abilities.’